In verses 21-22 the Persian officials finish their report with a request to look for the decree authorizing the rebuilding of the Temple and confirming the claims of the Jewish leaders. The transition from the statement by the Jewish leaders to the conclusion of the report by the Persian officials is indicated by the phrase Now therefore. An equivalent discourse marker should be used to introduce the officials’ concluding recommendation, such as “Now” (Good News Bible) or “So.”

If it seems wise, O king is a polite way of asking the king to search the records. Good News Bible says “if it please Your Majesty.”

Let search be made in the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Babylon: Let search be made may be translated “may we suggest that you have a search made.” The royal archives are the official government documents (the official records). We must assume there was a place in the city of Babylon where government records relating to that area were kept (see verse 23). This whole clause may be rendered “may we suggest that you have your people search the official records that you keep [or, Your Majesty keeps] in Babylon.” The Revised Standard Version footnote here may be ignored.

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.