And it is perhaps on account of us that the time of threshing is delayed for the righteous—on account of the sins of those who dwell on earth: Here Ezra asks the angel Uriel if God is delaying judgment, keeping the righteous dead waiting in their chambers, because of sinners on earth who are presently alive. The word threshing is an image for God’s judgment (see the comments on verses 30 and 32). A nonfigurative model for the time of threshing is delayed for the righteous is “God is delaying the time of judgment of the righteous dead [or, the time when he will judge the good people who have died].” On the judgment day God will give the righteous dead their reward. On account of the sins of those who dwell on earth expands the phrase on account of us, identifying Ezra and his contemporaries as sinners who are alive. These two phrases may be combined (see the model below). Those who dwell on earth is an expression often used in this book, speaking of the end times (see 2 Esd 5.1,6; 7.72; 10.59; 11.5; 13.30). We suggest the following model for this verse:

• Is it because of us sinners here on earth that God is delaying the time of judgment, and keeping the righteous dead waiting for their reward?”

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.