If therefore the righteous have prayed for the ungodly now, when corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied, why will it not be so then as well?: Ezra reasons that it is proper for the righteous to pray for the unrighteous during the evil conditions of this world. Therefore in the better world to come it should be all the more proper. Corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied are parallel clauses, both referring to the increasing evil in this world. For unrighteousness has multiplied, compare similar wording at 2 Esd 5.2. The adverb then refers to Judgment Day. Translators should study Good News Bible‘s good model for this verse. Another possible one is:

• If righteous people may pray for the wicked in this corrupt and unrighteous world, why should they not do so on Judgment Day?”

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.