From the beginning thou hast shown thy servant these wonders …: For the archaic pronouns and verbs in this prayer (for example, thou and hast shown), see the comments on 2 Esd 3.4-5. From the beginning refers to the beginning of the account of revelations to Ezra in chapters 3–14. This phrase may be rendered “For several weeks now.” Good News Bible reflects the deferential phrase thy servant with the word “Lord,” emphasizing God’s side of the servant-master relationship. However, in some languages it will be appropriate to say “me, your servant.”

And hast deemed me worthy to have my prayer heard by thee: Hast deemed me worthy may be translated “you have considered me worthy enough” or “you feel I deserve” (Contemporary English Version). My prayer probably refers to Ezra’s prayer in 2 Esd 12.7-9.

Here are possible models for this verse:

• “For several weeks now you have been showing me, your servant, all these wondrous things, and you have considered me worthy enough to listen to my prayer.

• “… and you have felt that I am worthy enough for you to answer my prayers.

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.