Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Go Home

36:22 In the first year of the reign of37 King Cyrus of Persia, in fulfillment of the promise he delivered through Jeremiah,38 the Lord moved39 King Cyrus of Persia to issue a written decree throughout his kingdom. 36:23 It read: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: ‘The Lord God of the heavens has given to me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build for him a temple in Jerusalem40 in Judah. May the Lord your God energize you who belong to his people, so you may be able to go back there!”41