And if it is found that …: Some languages may omit the conjunction And by beginning this verse with “If you find [or, Your Majesty finds in the official records] that….”

The building of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem was done with the consent of King Cyrus may be rendered “King Cyrus did indeed give consent for the Jews to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.”

And if it is approved by our lord the king: The writers ask King Darius to assure them that he approves of the Jews carrying out the orders of King Cyrus. This clause may be translated “If Your Majesty agrees with this [or, what King Cyrus ordered].”

Let him send us directions concerning these things: Since the pronoun him refers to the addressee, King Darius, some languages will prefer to refer to him in the second person. Models for this clause that do this are “please will you let us know your instructions,” “please let us know your instructions,” and even “please tell us what we should do.”

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• If you find that King Cyrus did indeed give consent for the Jews to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, and if you agree [or, Your Majesty agrees] with this, please let us know your instructions.”

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.