Therefore when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together: See verses 11 and 38. The pronoun he refers to God’s Son, which Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version make explicit.

He will defend the people who remain: Compare 2 Esd 12.34. The people may be rendered “his people” (Good News Bible), that is, the people of God’s Son.

And then he will show them very many wonders: Compare 2 Esd 7.27. Contemporary English Version says “and work amazing miracles for them.”

Good News Bible provides a helpful model for verses 49-50. Another possible one is:

• 49 So when the times comes for God’s Son to destroy the large group of nations that has gathered to attack him, he will defend his people who are left, 50 and perform many miracles for them.”

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.