I Esdras -- Introduction -- Name, contents, and relationship to sources -- Text, versions, language -- Purpose and date -- Textual and historical significance -- Theological and practical interests -- Bibliography I -- Translation, notes, and comments -- The period of Josiah (1:1-31) -- The last kings of Judah (1:32-55) -- The decree of Cyrus and the response thereto (2:1-14) -- Correspondence between the Samarian officials and the Persian court (2:15-25) -- The story of bodyguards (3:1--4:63) -- Preparations for and return from captivity (5:1-70) -- Events associated with the reconstruction of the temple (6:1--7:15) -- The Ezra story (8:1--9:55) -- II Esdras -- Introduction -- The name of the book -- Outline and content -- Manuscripts and versions -- Original language -- The unity of the book -- The theology of II Esdras (chs. 3-14) -- Messianic implications -- Date and purpose -- Literary relationships -- Bibliography II -- Translation, notes, and comments -- Ezra's divine commission (1--2) -- The Ezra apocalypse (3--14) -- The first vision (3:1--5:19) -- The second vision (5:20--6:34) -- The third vision (6:35--9:25) -- The fourth vision (9:26--10:59) -- The fifth (Eagle) vision (10:60--12:51) -- The sixth vision (The man from the sea) (13:1-58) -- The seventh vision (The legend of Ezra) (14:1-51) -- Sixth Ezra (15--16).