And all the multitude answered, “Amen”: Here the Greek verb for answered may be rendered “shouted in response” (similarly Myers). The response of the people was Amen, which means “It is true,” “It is so,” or “May it be so.” By this exclamation they signaled their agreement to Ezra’s praise of God. In many church traditions the word Amen has been borrowed and is in common use, and it may accordingly be retained by the translator here. If this word is not used in the receptor church culture or language, it may be translated with an equivalent acclamation of agreement. This should be a word or expression that is formal and solemn and that is appropriate in the context of communal worship and prayer.

And they lifted up their hands: They also lifted their hands to God to show their dependence on him. Lifting one’s hands was a general practice during prayer in the Ancient Near East. Good News Bible says “All the people raised their arms in the air.”

And fell to the ground and worshiped the Lord: The Greek expression for fell to the ground probably refers to kneeling down with the forehead touching the ground. This was a gesture of submission and of paying homage to God. Worshiped the Lord may be expressed as “praised [or, adored] the Lord” or “making the Lord great.” For these two clauses Contemporary English Version has “and bowed down to worship the Lord.”

Good News Bible offers a good model for this verse. Another possible model is:

• When Ezra finished praising God, everyone raised their arms in the air and cried “Amen!” Then they knelt with their foreheads touching the ground and worshiped the Lord.

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.