For just as the things which I have predicted await you: The connector For is better rendered “So” (Good News Bible) or “That’s why” (Contemporary English Version). The things are “the joys” (Good News Bible) or even “the rewards” (Contemporary English Version). This clause may be translated “So, Ezra, you will receive the rewards that I have promised.” The Revised Standard Version footnote here may be ignored.

So the thirst and torment which are prepared await them: For thirst as a feature of torment in hell, see Luke 16.24. This clause may be expressed as “while the wicked will receive nothing but thirst and torture,” “but I have prepared thirst and torture for them [or, the sinners],” or even “But I will cause them [or, the wicked] to undergo thirst and pain.”

For the Most High did not intend that men should be destroyed: Compare Ezek 33.11; 2 Peter 3.9. The conjunction For is better rendered “But” (Good News Bible), since it introduces an unexpected idea here. In languages that do not have the passive voice, this clause may be rendered “But I, God Most High, do not want to destroy any person.” Good News Bible also has a good model here.

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.