And at that time men shall hope but not obtain: Men is better rendered “people” (Good News Bible), since both men and women are in view. Shall hope but not obtain may be translated “will hope for the best, but it will never happen” or “will hope for good things, but will receive nothing.”

They shall labor but their ways shall not prosper: Compare Micah 6.14-15; Zeph 1.13. Good News Bible provides a good model here, saying “they will work hard, but will never succeed at anything.”

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.