Ezra 1:2-4

Expanded Bible

The Lord, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me, and he has ·appointed [instructed; charged] me to build a ·Temple [^Lhouse] for him at Jerusalem in Judah. ³ May God be with all ·of [among] you who are his people. You ·are free to [may] go to Jerusalem in Judah and ·build [or rebuild] the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, the God of Israel, [^Lhe is the God] who is in Jerusalem. ⁴ Those who ·stay behind [^Lsurvive], ·wherever they live [in those places; ^Creferring to the Jews remaining in exile, to the Jewish remnant who remained in Israel during the exile, or to their non-Jewish neighbors], ·should [must] ·support [help; assist; provide for] those who want to go. Give them silver and gold, ·supplies [goods] and ·cattle [livestock], and ·special gifts [voluntary/freewill offerings] for the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God in Jerusalem.