And while it was reigning its end came also, so that it disappeared like the first: The pronoun it refers to the second wing, which translators may make clear by rendering verse 14 as “After this second wing ruled, and was about to come to an end like the first wing” or “When the rule of this second wing was coming to an end, and it was about to disappear like the first wing.” In the next verse a voice speaks to the second wing before it disappears, so Good News Bible joins verses 14 and 15 for a more logical sentence, which we find helpful.

And behold, a voice sounded, saying to it: For behold, which Contemporary English Version renders “All at once,” see the comments on 2Esdras 11.1. Some translators may even use an ideophone here. A voice sounded, saying to it may be translated “A voice [from somewhere] said to it.” This quote frame introduces what the voice said to the second wing in verses 16-17.

Here is an alternative model for verses 14-15:

• 14 When its rule was coming to an end and it was about to disappear like the first wing, 15 a voice [from somewhere] said to it….

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.