Compare this verse with Isa 1.13-15.

When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you: The Latin word for oblations refers to “sacrifices” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). I will turn my face from you is an idiomatic expression, which may be rendered simply “I will turn away from you” (Good News Bible).

For I have rejected your feast days, and new moons, and circumcisions of the flesh: Here the Christian author of 2 Esd 1–2 pictures God as rejecting Jewish worship and festivals, and even rejecting circumcision. The feast days refers to the annual Jewish festivals, which included the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Num 28.16-25), the Harvest Festival (Num 28.26-31), the New Year Festival (Num 29.1-6), the Day of Atonement (Num 29.7-11), and the Festival of Shelters (Num 29.12-38). New moons refers to the festival that was held on the day of the new moon, the day when only a thin edge of the moon can be seen. This day was always the first day of the month in the Hebrew calendar. Instructions for this day are given in Num 28.11-15. For all these festivals see also the comments on 1 Esd 5.52. Circumcisions of the flesh refers to the circumcision of males. Circumcision is the practice of cutting off the foreskin of the penis, and many societies in the ancient world did this. For the Jews it was a sign of membership in the community and belonging to God (see Gen 17.9-14). For a detailed discussion of the practice and suggestions on how to translate circumcision, see A Handbook on Genesis.

Contemporary English Version provides the following helpful model for this verse:

• Even when you offer me sacrifices, I will turn away. I have rejected all your religious celebrations, including your New Moon Festivals and the ceremonies where you circumcise men and boys.

Another possible model is:

• I will turn away from you when you bring me offerings. Your worship no longer means anything to me—not your feast days, not your New Moon Festivals, not even your circumcision.

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.