And the priests and the Levites stood arrayed in their garments, according to kindred: For arrayed in their garments, see the comments on 1 Esd 1.2. Here we may say “properly dressed” or “dressed in the appropriate clothes.” Contemporary English Version has “They were dressed in their special robes.” In Good News Bible this phrase only describes the priests, but it should also describe the Levites. For according to kindred, see the comments on 1 Esd 1.10-11.

For the services of the Lord God of Israel in accordance with the book of Moses: The Greek word for services probably refers to making sacrifices and performing other duties at the Temple. Contemporary English Version makes this clear by rendering this whole phrase as “they carried out the instructions that Moses had written about offering sacrifices and gifts to the Lord God of Israel.”

And the gatekeepers were at each gate: See the comments on 1 Esd 1.15-16.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• The priests and Levites, properly dressed [or, dressed in their special clothes], stood in family groups for the services of worship of the Lord God of Israel, following the directions in the Law of Moses. The men who had charge of the Temple gates were in their proper places.

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.