Together with what is given by the nation for the temple of their Lord which is in Jerusalem: The nation refers to the Jews remaining in Babylonia. Ezra is to take to Jerusalem any contributions that these Jews wish to make for the Temple. We suggest combining the phrase both gold and silver with this clause by saying “Also take gifts of gold and silver which the Jews remaining in Babylonia wish to donate to the Temple of their Lord in Jerusalem.”

Both gold and silver for bulls and rams and lambs and what goes with them: The gifts of gold and silver were to be used primarily to buy sacrificial animals once the returning Jews arrived in Jerusalem. For bulls, rams and lambs, see the comments on 1 Esd 6.29. What goes with them refers to such materials as grain, olive oil and wine, which were used in the sacrificial rituals (see 1 Esd 6.30). Contemporary English Version makes that explicit in the text by saying “grain, olive oil, and wine,” but in our judgment it is sufficient to say “everything else that is necessary” (Good News Bible).

So as to offer sacrifices upon the altar of their Lord which is in Jerusalem: For the altar of their Lord, see the comments on 1 Esd 1.17-18.

Here is a possible model for verses 14-15:

• 14 Take also gifts of gold and silver which the Jews remaining in Babylonia wish to donate to the Temple of their Lord in Jerusalem. That money may be used to buy the bulls, rams, [male] lambs, and everything else that is needed 15 to offer sacrifices on the altar of their Lord in Jerusalem.

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.