1. In the first year of Cyrus as king of the Persians the Lord motivated the spirit of King Cyrus to fulfill the Lord’s word spoken through Jeremiah. He made a royal announcement throughout the whole of his kingdom that he also put into writing.
2. This is what Persia’s King Cyrus says:The Lord of Israel, the Most High Lord, has appointed me king of the entire world. The Lord has commissioned me to build God’s house in Jerusalem in Judea.
3. Therefore, if you are from this nation, may your Lord be with you. Go up to Jerusalem in Judea and build the house of the Lord of Israel—for this is the Lord who dwells in Jerusalem.
4. As many of you live in other places, help the Lord with gold and silver, with horses and cattle, in addition to pledging other things dedicated for the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem.