And if we were not to come into judgment after death, perhaps it would have been better for us: Ezra ends his address to the earth with the same sentiment he began with (compare verse 63). Possible models for this verse are:

• We would be better off if we did not have to face [God’s] judgment after we die.”

• … if God did not judge us after we have died.”

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.