Revised Standard Version uses poetic format for verses 22b-24. This format adds nothing for the benefit of the reader. We urge translators to stay with a prose translation.

Nevertheless they were not obedient, and spoke against him…!: The connector Nevertheless may be rendered “But” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). The pronoun they refers to the wicked, which Good News Bible makes explicit. The wicked not only disobeyed God, but they also actively argued with him (spoke against him), going so far as to say that God does not even exist.

They devised for themselves vain thoughts may be translated “They made up their own foolish ideas” or “They preferred their own worthless ideas.”

And proposed to themselves wicked frauds may be expressed as “they have made their own wicked and deceitful plans” (Good News Bible) or “they made wicked plots against people, planning to deceive them.”

They even declared that the Most High does not exist: Compare 2 Esd 8.58; Psa 14.1; 53.1. This clause may be rendered “They even said, ‘God Most High doesn’t exist.’ ”

And they ignored his ways may be translated “and refused to follow his ways” (Good News Bible) or “and paid no attention to his directions.”

Here is an alternative model for verses 22-23:

• 22 But the wicked would not obey God. They argued with God. They preferred their own worthless ideas. 23 They made wicked plots against people, planning to deceive them. They even declared that God Most High does not exist! They paid no attention to his ways [or, directions].

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.