Then I answered and said may be rendered simply “Then I replied” (similarly Good News Bible). Ezra is not answering a question from God.

Let me speak in thy presence, Lord: The Latin text reads “I will speak before you, Lord.” In our opinion the Latin makes good sense without the change to the text accepted by Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible.

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Then I responded, “Lord, there is something I want to say [or, Lord, please let me say something to you].

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.