So I considered my world, and behold, it was lost: The verb considered may be rendered “looked at.” The word behold, which places focus on it was lost, may be translated “I saw” (Good News Bible). It was lost means “it was ruined” (Good News Bible). This first half of the verse may be expressed as “So when I looked at the world that I had made, I saw that it was ruined.”

And my earth, and behold, it was in peril is parallel in meaning with my world, and behold, it was lost. This clause may be rendered “and I saw that my earth was in great danger” or “I saw that my earth in danger of being destroyed” (Good News Bible).

Because of the devices of those who had come into it: In this context the Latin word for devices means “evil [or, wicked] plans.” Revised Standard Version‘s footnote here involves a translational matter, so it is not needed.

Good News Bible offers an excellent model for this verse.

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.