And hast not shown to any one how thy way may be comprehended: The connector and may be rendered “Furthermore” or “Besides that.” Contemporary English Version begins this verse with “You didn’t even….” There is a textual problem in this clause. Instead of how thy way may be comprehended, the Latin text has “how this way [of yours] might be abandoned” (similarly Revised Standard Version footnote). In this context the only way to get meaning from the Latin text of this clause is to assume that the writer is saying “You’ve given no one any idea that you ever intend to change the way you handle things” or “Furthermore, you haven’t given anyone the slightest hint that you intend to change the way you deal with us [or, treat us].” Revised Standard Version and Metzger follow an easier reading in the Syriac. New English Bible labels the Latin as obscure. In our opinion the Latin text should be used, and understood as explained here.

Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Zion?: Some translators may wish to keep the names Babylon and Zion in this rhetorical question, while others will find it easier to say “Are the Babylonians really more righteous than we Jews?” or “Are the people of Babylon really that much better than those of Jerusalem?” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Good News Bible uses the strong statement “Surely Babylon is no better than Jerusalem,” which some languages may find helpful.

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.