Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah undertook the matter on these terms: Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah are otherwise unknown. The name Tikvah, which follows the spelling in the parallel passage of Ezra 10.15, is spelled “Thocanus” (Revised Standard Version footnote) in the Greek text. We prefer the forms of names used in the Old Testament, so the Revised Standard Version footnote is unnecessary. Undertook the matter may be rendered “assumed responsibility for the plan” (Good News Bible).

And Meshullam and Levi and Shabbethai served with them as judges: For Meshullam see 1 Esd 8.44. In Neh 11.16 there is a Shabbethai who was a leader of the Levites. In Ezra 10.15 Shabbethai is referred to as a Levite, but the author of 1 Esdras has apparently taken this to be another name, Levi, and this should be preserved in translation.

Good News Bible provides a simple and reliable model for this verse.

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.