So I spoke again to her, and said may be rendered simply “I continued” (Good News Bible) or “I replied” (Contemporary English Version).

Do not say that, but let yourself be persuaded because of the troubles of Zion, and be consoled because of the sorrow of Jerusalem: Here Ezra seeks to convince the woman that Jerusalem’s troubles are worse than her own. Be persuaded because of the troubles of Zion and be consoled because of the sorrow of Jerusalem mean the same thing, so they may be combined by rendering this whole sentence as follows: “Please don’t speak like that. You must understand that the troubles that Jerusalem has had [or, gone through] are worse than yours,” “Don’t talk like that. The troubles that Jerusalem has had are worse than yours. You have to understand that,” or even “Please don’t talk like that. Pay attention to the sadness and grief of Jerusalem, and you won’t feel so bad about your own situation” (Contemporary English Version).

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.