The Decree of Cyrus

1:1 1 In the first2 year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the Lord’s message3 spoken through4 Jeremiah,5 the Lord stirred the mind6 of King Cyrus of Persia. He disseminated7 a proclamation8 throughout his entire kingdom, announcing in a written edict9 the following:10

1:2 “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia:

“ ‘The Lord God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has instructed me to build a temple11 for him in Jerusalem,12 which is in Judah. 1:3 Anyone from13 his people among you (may his God be with him!) may go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and may build the temple of the Lord God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 1:4 Anyone who survives in any of those places where he is a resident foreigner must be helped by his neighbors14 with silver, gold, equipment, and animals, along with voluntary offerings for the temple of God which is in Jerusalem.’ ”