For the beginning of a man is his hand, and the end of a man is his heel; between the heel and the hand seek for nothing else, Ezra!: As the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, the Latin text of this verse is clearly defective; something is missing. It has to be filled in from the Syriac (with indirect support from other versions). For a model we offer the following modification of Good News Bible:

• So, Ezra, if Esau’s heel is the end and Jacob’s hand the beginning, don’t look for any space in between.”*
* The Latin of this verse is unclear. Our translation depends on the ancient Syriac translation.

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.