The Proclamation of Cyrus
2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Isaiah 45:1–25
1And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,+ 2Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah theGod of the heavens given to me, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.+ 3Whosoever there is among you of all his people, hisGod be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah theGod of Israel — he isGod — which is at Jerusalem.+ 4And whosoever remains in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the voluntary offering for the house ofGod which is at Jerusalem.+ 5And the chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin rose up, and the priests, and the Levites, even all those whose spiritGod had stirred, to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is at Jerusalem.+ 6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with articles of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.+