Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me [a]all the kingdoms of the earth, and he hath commanded me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Who is he among you of all his people with whom his God is? let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel: he is the God, which is in Jerusalem.

And everyone that remaineth in any place (where he sojourneth) [b]let the men of his place relieve him with silver and with gold, and with substance, and with cattle, [c]and with a willing offering, for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezra 1:2 For he was chief Monarch, and had many nations under his dominion, which this heathen king confesseth to have received of the living God.
  2. Ezra 1:4 If any through poverty were not able to return, the king’s commission was that he should be furnished with necessaries.
  3. Ezra 1:4 Which they themselves should send toward the reparation of the Temple.

“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed(A) me to build(B) a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors(C) may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold,(D) with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings(E) for the temple of God(F) in Jerusalem.’”(G)

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