This next part of the king’s letter (verses 21-24) begins like a new letter identifying both the sender and those to whom the letter is sent. The king repeats his own identity, but this part of the letter is addressed to a category of his own government officials, namely, the financial officers.

And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree: Similarly to verse 13, the king formally states that he is the source of the decree. Here the emphatic first person singular pronoun I is added to the formulaic structure of the king’s opening declaration. Many English versions express the emphasis with the initial subject pronoun “I” as Revised Standard Version has done. A similar construction is used in French versions. Some languages will use an independent pronoun or an emphatic pronoun. Translators should convey the strong emphasis of the original text by restructuring as necessary.

To all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Treasurers were located at various centers in the Persian Empire and were responsible for the expenditure of government money. They were the officials who controlled or who took care of the finances and the resources that belonged to the government. For the province Beyond the River, see the comments at Ezra 4.10.

Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you: See the comments on verses 6 and 11-12 above for the description of Ezra. You is a second person plural pronoun that refers to the treasurers. They are instructed to pay to Ezra whatever he requires for the sacrifices at the Temple. The meaning of the word translated as requires in Revised Standard Version is that they should give to Ezra what he will ask them to give him. However, this does not mean that Ezra might make any demand that he wishes of the treasurers. Instead, the treasurers should provide funds for Ezra’s needs in the fulfillment of his mission.

Be it done: This is a command in the third person passive form according to the pattern of official orders from the king. An appropriate equivalent receptor language construction should be used. This may require restructuring to use a second person plural pronoun and an active verb form; for example, “you must do it.” See Good News Translation for another way to render this with the active verb “provide.”

With all diligence: See the comments at verse 17 above.

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 .