And lay to one side the thoughts that are most grievous to you may be rendered “Forget about the things that upset [or, worry] you the most.”

And hasten to escape from these times: Good News Bible says “and get ready to leave this world quickly,” which is not quite accurate. The main verb is hasten. Ezra is told to escape this world as quickly as he can. We suggest the following model for this verse:

• Forget all those things that worry you most, and escape this world without delay [or, as quickly as you can].

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.