For God strictly commanded those who came into the world, when they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment: See Deut 30.15; Sir 15.17. The conjunction For introduces why God is justified to let the wicked perish. He has given them clear commandments on how to live to avoid death. God strictly commanded those who came into the world, when they came may be rendered simply “God clearly told all humans” (similarly Contemporary English Version). What they should do to live and what they should observe to avoid punishment may be expressed as “what they should do to obtain life and to avoid having God punish them” (similarly Good News Bible). In this verse Uriel apparently says that just as God took care of Israel, he made provision for the Gentiles also. Therefore people who disobey God’s commands can expect the punishments they deserve (compare Rom 3.29-31). Good News Bible may be used as a model for this verse.

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.