And on the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying: Here the word behold introduces a surprising event (see the comments on 2 Esd 6.17). Here it may be rendered “suddenly” (Good News Bible) or “I heard” (Contemporary English Version). In some languages this will be a good place for an ideophone. A voice called me, saying may be translated “a voice calling out to me.”

Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink: Compare Jer 15.16; Ezek 2.8; 3.1-3. This command is a sign that the revelation from God is about to take place. Contemporary English Version says “Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you.”

Good News Bible provides a good model for this verse.

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.