And those who consent to eat shall be held in derision and contempt: Christians willing to eat food offered to idols will be ridiculed by their persecutors, not by their fellow Christians. The word contempt has a very similar meaning to derision. Both are used for emphasis. If possible, translators should try to find two words or expressions that have the sense of ridicule; for example, this clause may be rendered “Anyone who eats this food will be mocked and insulted” (Contemporary English Version) or “They will mock and insult any of you who eat this food.” The Revised Standard Version footnote here involves a translational matter, so it may be omitted.

And be trodden under foot means they will be treated as worthless.

Good News Bible keeps this verse in the second person for the Christians, following through from verse 68. This works well, and we recommend it as a model. Another possible one is:

• They will mock, insult, and humiliate any of you who eat this food.

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.