And this is what took place is literally “And when these things were done.” Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible translate this clause to refer to what is about to happen, but in fact it refers to what has already happened, that is, the provision of the animals to be sacrificed. “When everything was ready” would be a good translation.

The priests and the Levites, properly arrayed …: The Greek expression for properly arrayed does not mean the same as the one rendered “arrayed in their garments” in verse 2. In fact, the text does not say arrayed at all. The Greek word here implies that they were properly dressed, but covers more than that. They were dressed up as befit the occasion. The New English Bible (New English Bible) has “in all their splendour.” Myers says “with proper dignity.” We may also say “dressed beautifully for this occasion.”

And having the unleavened bread: Unleavened bread (Contemporary English Version “thin bread”) refers to bread that was baked without yeast or anything else to cause it to rise. Translators will have encountered this term many times in the Old Testament. Good News Bible renders this clause as “and carrying the unleavened bread,” which is a good model.

Stood according to kindred and the grouping of the fathers’ houses means the priests and Levites stood in groups, with those most closely related standing together (see verses 4-5). New English Bible translates according to kindred and the grouping of the fathers’ houses as “in the order of their clans and families.” Contemporary English Version has “in groups of families and clans.”

Before the people may be rendered “in front of the people” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version).

The first part of verses 10 and 11 may be translated “When everything was ready, the priests and Levites showing proper dignity, and carrying unleavened bread, stood in groups of families and clans before the people.”

To make the offering to the Lord as it is written in the book of Moses: It will be good to begin a new sentence here, for example, “Then they began to offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord….” The book of Moses refers to the Torah, the Law of Moses. Good News Bible renders as it is written in the book of Moses as “according to the instructions in the Law of Moses.” We may also say “following the instructions in the Law of Moses” or “as the Law of Moses commands” (Contemporary English Version).

This they did in the morning: We suggest placing this clause immediately after the first clause in verse 10 by combining verses 10 and 11 as follows:

• When everything was ready, the priests and Levites, during the morning, took their places with proper dignity, standing in family groups [or, in groups representing families and clans]. They carried unleavened bread and stood in front of the people to offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, as commanded in the Law of Moses.

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.