"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in JERUSALEM, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'"

1. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that The LORD's word by Jeremiah's mouth might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

2. "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has commanded me to build him a house in JERUSALEM, which is in Judah.

3. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to JERUSALEM, which is in Judah, and build the house of The LORD, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in JERUSALEM.

4. Whoever is left, in any place where he lives, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for God's house which is in JERUSALEM.'"