And salt waters shall be found in the sweet may be rendered “Salty water will become fresh” or the reverse “Fresh water will become salty” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Either interpretation is acceptable.

And all friends shall conquer one another: Not only will the natural world be in upheaval, but also the social world, since friends will attack each other (compare Matt 24.7; Sir 37.2). Friends probably refers to allies among nations (see 2 Esd 6.24).

Then shall reason hide itself: Here the Latin word for reason refers to rational behavior. It will hide itself. In many languages it will sound strange to talk about good sense hiding itself. If so, nonfigurative renderings of this clause are “People will behave unreasonably” and “People will lack good sense [or, logic].”

And wisdom shall withdraw into its chamber: For the idea of wisdom having its own chamber, compare Bar 3.15. The Latin word for wisdom here may be understood as intellect, understanding, or knowledge; this is not the term usually used for the concept of wisdom in such books as Proverbs or Sirach in the Vulgate. This figurative clause is parallel in meaning with the previous one. Some languages may prefer to use a nonfigurative expression (see the model below).

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Fresh water will become salty. Friendly nations [or, Friends] will attack each other. People will lack good sense [or, logic], and will not behave rationally.

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.