Behold, a terrifying sight, approaching from the east!: Good News Bible connects this verse with the preceding ones, so that these words are addressed to the sinners of verses 26-27. We think this is not correct. We see here a break in the thought. This is the beginning of another prophetic prediction. Here the word Behold introduces something surprising and terrifying (compare the comments on 2 Esd 6.18). A terrifying sight refers to something that causes terror. Alternative models for this verse are:

• Look toward the east! Something terrifying is approaching.

• Look to the east! See what is coming! It’s terrifying!

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.