Instead of acting immediately, the people offer a counter suggestion. They suggest that some of their leaders remain in Jerusalem, and set definite times for each man to come back to Jerusalem, along with the local officials from his own area, until they can straighten out all the details of separation, and free themselves from God’s anger by separating themselves from the foreigners. The local officials would know their situation and could ensure a fair decision. The proposed system was like that set up by King Jehoshaphat of Judah in the ninth century B.C. (2 Chr 19.8-11).

So let the leaders of the multitude stay may be rendered “So we suggest that some of our leaders stay here in Jerusalem” or “Why can’t our officials stay on in Jerusalem and take care of this for us?” (Contemporary English Version).

And let all those in our settlements who have foreign wives come at the time appointed, with the elders and judges of each place: The time appointed is the time set or fixed for each case involving marriage to a foreign wife. The elders and judges of each place were the officials and judges in each town.

Until we are freed from the wrath of the Lord over this matter means until the Lord is no longer angry with us concerning our intermarriage with foreigners.

Good News Bible offers a good model for verses 12-13. A model that adds some of the implied information is:

• 12 Let some of our leaders stay here in Jerusalem and let the rest of us return home. Then we can set definite times for the men of each area who have married foreigners to come to Jerusalem, 13 along with their own local officials and judges, to decide their cases. This way we can finally free ourselves from God’s anger about this.”

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.