And while they were planning, behold … may be rendered “But while they were plotting, I saw….” For behold, see 2Esdras 11.1.

One of the heads that were at rest (the one which was in the middle) awoke: For the heads that were at rest, see the comments on 2Esdras 11.4. The Latin verb for awoke does not (necessarily) mean waking from sleep, but becoming aware of what is happening. In English “awake” can be used in that sense.

For it was greater than the other two heads: The conjunction for may be omitted (so Good News Bible). In this context greater means “larger” (see 2Esdras 11.4). Commentators are agreed that the greater head was Vespasian, and the other two his sons Titus and Domitian.

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• While they were plotting, however, the largest of the three heads, the one in the middle, began to stir [or, move].

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.