Whatever seems good to you and your brethren: The king further authorizes that “whatever you and your brothers judge to be good,” “whatever you … wish to do,” or “whatever is pleasing to you…,” should be done.

Your brethren refers to Ezra’s fellow priests. Good News Translation gives the interpretation of “your people,” but it is preferable to make the meaning more explicit, for example, “your companions” (Bible en français courant) or “your colleagues” (New Revised Standard Version).

The rest of the silver and gold means the silver and gold that is left over after the animals and other things for the sacrifices have been purchased. Whatever seems good to you is limited to the use of the remaining gold and silver for the Temple.

According to the will of your God: What is considered to be good by Ezra and his fellow priests is to be judged or measured against God’s will, that is, what is in accordance with “the law of your God” (see verse 14 above). This may be translated “in conformity with the will of your God” (compare New American Bible) or “according to what your God wants.”

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .