Strengthen me is not a command but a request, so in many languages it will need to be rendered “please strengthen me [or, give me strength].”

And show me, thy servant, the interpretation and meaning of this terrifying vision: We suggest placing the phrase show me more naturally after thy servant. With the phrase thy servant Ezra refers to himself. Good News Bible keeps Ezra’s deference here by having him say “O Lord.” This phrase may also be rendered “I am your servant” (see the model below).

That thou mayest fully comfort my soul: Ezra is asking God to give him comfort or rest.

We suggest the following model for this verse:

• Please give me strength. I am only your servant, but I cannot rest unless you show [or, tell] me what this terrifying vision [or, dream] means.

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.