Thus says the Lord to Ezra: This quote frame introduces what the Lord said to Ezra in verses 10b-32. Since Ezra has referred to himself in the first person before, some languages may prefer to render this clause as “The Lord [also] said to me” (see the comments on 2 Esd 1.1-3).

Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem: My people refers to God’s new people (that is, Christians; see 2 Esd 1.35). The phrase the kingdom of Jerusalem is found nowhere else in Scripture. It refers to ruling over the city of Jerusalem. This clause may be rendered “Tell my people that I will give them the city of Jerusalem over which they will rule” or even “… I will let them rule over the city of Jerusalem.”

Which I was going to give to Israel: God had planned to let the Israelites rule over Jerusalem, but now is changing that plan.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• The Lord [also] said to Ezra [or, me]: “Tell my new people [or, this new people of mine] that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem [or, I will let them rule over the city of Jerusalem], which I had planned to give to Israel.

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.