Therefore I say to you, O nations that hear and understand: Because the Jews rejected Ezra, he addresses non-Jews who are willing to listen to him. This quote frame introduces his words to them in verses 34b-41. In this context the Latin word for nations refers to those who are not Jews (compare verse 28). Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this clause, saying “That is why I am speaking to you Gentiles. You are ready to listen and understand.”

Await your shepherd: The shepherd is Jesus Christ (see John 10.11; Heb 13.20; 1 Peter 2.25). This metaphor is used to describe Jesus as someone who takes care of his people like a shepherd does for his sheep.

He will give you everlasting rest: Compare Matt 11.29. We may render this clause as “He will let you rest forever” or “He will give you rest that will never end.”

Because he who will come at the end of the age is close at hand: The Latin word translated age (saeculum) can also mean “world”, so a possible model for this clause is “He will come at the end of the world, and that time is very near [or, not far off].”

We suggest combining and reordering the material in verses 33-34 to make it clearer to the reader what is happening in these two verses. The following model does this:

• Hear me, peoples of the world! I am Ezra, and I was on Mount Sinai when the Lord ordered me to go to the people of Israel. I did so, but they rejected me and refused to listen to what the Lord had commanded. So this is what I have to say to you peoples who will hear me and understand what I say: “Wait for your shepherd, who will give you eternal rest. He will come at the end of this age [or, world], and that time is not far off.

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.