For the sword and misery draw near them: As in 2Esdras 15.5, the word sword is an image for “war” (Good News Bible). This clause may be rendered “For they will soon experience wars and suffer.”

And nation shall rise up to fight against nation, with swords in their hands: Compare 13.31; Matt 24.7. With swords in their hands again refers to fighting with weapons.

In some languages it will be natural style to keep the imagery of the sword, but for others we suggest the following model for this verse:

• For a time of war and misery is very near, when nations will fight against each other.

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.