For how long the time is that the Most High has been patient with those who inhabit the world…!: The conjunction For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). The phrase how long does not introduce a question here, but an exclamation. The first clause of this verse highlights that God has been very patient with humans. It may be rendered “God Most High has been very patient with the people of this world [or, with humans]!”

And not for their sake, but because of the times which he has foreordained: But God has not been patient with sinners because he has felt sorry for them. He has simply delayed judgment because he has a plan for the future that he is following. Judgment will come at the time he has planned.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• God Most High has been so patient with the people of this world! But not because he feels sorry for them. No [or, On the other hand], he knows when Judgment Day will be, and he is waiting for that time to come.”

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.