There shall be chaos also in many places: Instead of chaos, which is in the Latin text, the Syriac has “chasms,” which is the better reading here. Good News Bible follows this reading by saying “The earth will break open in many places” (compare Zech 14.4). Contemporary English Version interprets chaos as “riots,” which we believe is wrong.

And fire shall often break out: Good News Bible says “and begin spouting out flames.” When the earth actually does split open from volcanic activity, there is often fire, but whether the author knew of this or simply sees it as part of the terrible picture of the end time is not certain.

And the wild beasts shall roam beyond their haunts: Wild animals will come from the places where they usually live (their haunts) into places where people dwell, threatening human life. Compare Lev 26.22.

And menstruous women shall bring forth monsters: Menstruous women refers to women who are having their monthly menstrual period. Menstruation is common to women in every culture all over the world. But the way of talking about it varies widely from one language to another, because it is a very private matter. Some of the ways to express this phrase in other cultures are “women whose blood is flowing,” “women who see blood,” “women who see the moon,” “women who have the sickness of women,” and “women who are to be avoided.” It is unclear what the nature of the monsters is here (compare 2 Esd 6.21).

Translators should study Good News Bible‘s good model for this verse, including the accompanying footnote.

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.