For we had said to the king: The connector for (“because” in Good News Bible) introduces the reason why Ezra did not ask for an escort from the king. Some languages may prefer to omit this connector by rendering this quote frame as “We had told the king.” The pronoun we refers to Ezra and his group. Good News Bible changes this pronoun to “I” since Ezra was the spokesman for the group.

The power of our Lord will be with those who seek him, and will support them in every way: This quotation does not refer specifically to the Lord being with the exiles on their way back to Judah. Ezra is recalling that the powerful God of the Jews would give support to anyone who would seek him, that is, put their trust in him. Since this quotation is short, it is convenient to translate it as indirect speech (so Good News Bible). Translators who cannot do this or who find it awkward may of course use direct speech.

Here are possible models for this verse:

• We [or, I] had said to the king, ‘Our powerful Lord will be with all those people who trust in him. He will help them in every way.’

• We [Jews] had told the king that our mighty Lord would always be with those who put their trust in him. He would help them in every way.

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.