And all the multitude sat in the open square before the temple: All the multitude refers to the men mentioned in verse 5, so this phrase may be rendered “all these men.” The open square before the temple probably refers to the same place where Ezra was praying in 1 Esd 8.91. It was the large outer courtyard in front of the Temple, where a large group of people could assemble. This phrase may be translated “the [outer] courtyard [or, plaza] in front of the Temple.”

Shivering because of the bad weather that prevailed: The parallel passage of Ezra 10.9 says the people were shivering for two reasons, fear and rain. Here only bad weather is mentioned. Although Good News Bible reports the people shivering because of the cold weather, we think it not unfair to interpret this verse in light of Ezra 10.9. Contemporary English Version does by rendering it as follows:

• They all went to the temple courtyard, where they sat down, shivering in the winter rain.

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.