Do not all watch at the same time; let each sleep in his own place, and watch in his turn; but let the heads be reserved for the last: The verb watch here means “be awake,” as in Good News Bible. These two verses refer to the Roman emperors ruling one after another, one at a time. Here is an alternative model for the two verses:

• 8 “Only one of you should be awake at any one time. Take turns. The rest of you should sleep. 9 The heads should take their turns staying awake last of all.”

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.