In accordance with my gracious decision …: The language here in Greek is stately and formal. The king says that he has made a decision regarding the Jews in exile, and describes that decision as gracious, generous, kind. We may begin this verse with “I have decided to show special kindness to the Jews. And so…” (Contemporary English Version) or “Since I have made a kind and generous decision, I….” Since the king is the supreme power, everyone else is unworthy, so that any kind thing the king does for a person would be described as gracious. The implication is that a king is under obligation to no one.

I have given orders that those of the Jewish nation and of the priests and Levites and others in our realm, who freely choose to do so, may go with you to Jerusalem: This sentence refers to Jews wanting to return to Judah with Ezra. The phrase our realm refers to the Persian Empire, so it may be rendered “my kingdom [or, empire].”

Good News Bible has a useful model for this verse, but another possible one is:

• I have decided to show special kindness to the Jews. And so I have given orders that any priests and Levites and any other Jews in my kingdom who wish to return with you to Jerusalem, may do so.

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.