All the assembly: According to the text, all the people in the assembly or “the whole assembly” (New Living Translation) agreed with the instruction of Ezra. Good News Translation interprets this as exaggeration and therefore renders it simply “The people.” BNT is similar with “the assembly.” It is preferable to include reference to all the gathered people or to the “entire” assembly as most versions do.

Answered with a loud voice: The Hebrew text follows the familiar pattern of using two verbs, which here are “they answered” and “they said.” Only the most literal translations translate both verbs individually (so New King James Version , Darby). Most translations render them as one verb, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done. The answer with a loud voice indicates strong affirmation and commitment (compare 2 Chr 15.14-15, where the people took an oath “with a loud voice”).

It is so; we must do as you have said: It is so represents a Hebrew adverb that may be translated “thus,” “so,” or “right.” It is an emphatic beginning of the response of the people that follows dramatically in the form of direct quotation. It may be rendered as an emphatic affirmation as Revised Standard Version has done, or like Chouraqui with “Yes, it is for us to do according to your word!” (similarly Darby). New Jerusalem Bible renders it “Yes, our duty is to do as you say.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “It’s true! Up to us to act according to your word!” New International Version says “You are right! We must do as you say.” It is so may also be incorporated into the first declaration of the people as Good News Translation has done: “We will do whatever you say.” King James Version is similar with “As thou hast said, so must we do.” Several versions punctuate this affirmation and declaration with exclamation marks. Some languages achieve the effect of emphasis with sentence final particles. Such marking would be appropriate here.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .