All the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem did what the governor and the Levites told them to do.

Then they all went their way may be rendered “So all the people went home” (Good News Bible; see verse 51).

To eat and drink and enjoy themselves: See verse 51. Enjoy themselves may be translated “celebrate” or “have a good time.”

And to give portions to those who had none: See verse 51.

And to make great rejoicing repeats enjoy themselves, so the two clauses may be combined (so Contemporary English Version).

Because they were inspired by the words which they had been taught: To be inspired is to be made to feel happy and enthusiastic because one is challenged or impressed by something grander or higher than oneself. We may be inspired by a great performance of music or by a good public speaker, or as here, by religious feeling.

And they came together: The book comes to a sudden end here, almost certainly because the original ending has been lost. The words And they came together seem to come from Neh 8.13.

Here is an alternative model for verses 54-55:

• 54 So everyone went home to eat and drink and have a good time, sharing their food with people who had none. It was a happy celebration, 55 because they were so inspired by what they had learned from the Law. And they came together.*
* And they came together: The ending of the book appears to have been lost. This sentence (two words in Greek) appears to continue the story as in Neh 8.13.

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.