# Connecting Statement:

Ezra praises God because of what King Artaxerxes decreed.

# placed all this into the king's heart to glorify Yahweh's house in Jerusalem

Placing things in the king's heart represents causing him to have certain thoughts and desires. AT: "caused the king to want to glorify Yahweh's house in Jerusalem" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# Yahweh's house

This refers to Yahweh's temple" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# who extended covenant faithfulness to me

The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "faithful" or "loyal." AT: "who has been faithful to me" or "who has been loyal to me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

# I have been strengthened

Being strengthened represents being encouraged. AT: I am encouraged" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# by the hand of Yahweh my God

Here Yahweh's hand represents what he did to help Ezra. AT: "because Yahweh has helped me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])