Cyrus’ Proclamation and Rebuilding the Temple

Ezra 1–4 (selections)

Persian Period, Late 6th–4th Century BCE

Chapter 1

1In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, when the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah was fulfilled, the Lord roused the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his realm by word of mouth and in writing as follows:

2“Thus said King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the…
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