Ezra 1

¹ In the first year Cyrus ruled as king of Persia, Yahweh moved to make his word through Jeremiah come true. Yahweh stirred up Cyrus king of Persia's heart! Cyrus sent a message across his whole kingdom. He wrote it down and said,

³ Any of you who belong to his people, may your God go with you! Go up to Jerusalem in Judah! Build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel. He is the true God, the one whose house stands in Jerusalem.

⁵ Right then, the family leaders of Judah and Benjamin stood up! The priests and Levites rose to their feet! Everyone whose heart God stirred got ready to go. They were going to build Yahweh's house in Jerusalem!

⁶ All their neighbors piled gifts into their hands. Silver things! Gold! Goods! Animals! Fine gifts! And many other things given freely and gladly.