Cyrus sends a written proclamation

1In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, so that the word of Yahweh from the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying:

2Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3Whoever among all his people is among you, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.

4And everyone who remains, in any place where he is living, let the men of his place support him with silver and gold, with goods and with livestock, together with the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.