Now in the firstyearof Cyruskingof Persia,in order to fulfillthe wordof the LORDby the mouthof Jeremiah,the LORDstirredup the spiritof Cyruskingof Persia,so that he senta proclamationthroughout allhis kingdom,and also[put it] in writing,saying:
Then the headsof fathers'[households] of Judahand Benjaminand the priestsand the Levitesarose,even everyonewhose spiritGodhad stirredto goup and rebuildthe houseof the LORDwhichis in Jerusalem.
But Zerubbabeland Jeshuaand the restof the headsof fathers'[households] of Israelsaidto them, "You have nothingin common with us in buildinga houseto our God;but we ourselveswill togetherbuildto the LORDGodof Israel,as KingCyrus,the kingof Persiahas commandedus."
And the eldersof the Jewswere successfulin buildingthrough the prophesyingof Haggaithe prophetand Zechariahthe sonof Iddo.And they finishedbuildingaccordingto the commandof the Godof Israeland the decreeof Cyrus,Darius,and Artaxerxeskingof Persia.
And they observedthe Feastof UnleavenedBreadsevendayswith joy,for the LORDhad caused them to rejoice,and had turnedthe heartof the kingof Assyriatowardthem to encouragethem in the workof the houseof God,the Godof Israel.
"In the firstyearof KingCyrus,Cyrusthe kingissueda decree:'[Concerning] the houseof Godat Jerusalem,let the temple,the placewheresacrificesare offered,be rebuiltand let its foundationsbe retained,its heightbeing 60cubitsand its width60cubits;
Blessedbe the LORD,the Godof our fathers,whohas put[such a thing] as thisin the king'sheart,to adornthe houseof the LORDwhichis in Jerusalem,
He also madethem [objects] of compassionIn the presenceof alltheir captors.
The king'sheartis [like] channelsof waterin the handof the LORD;He turnsit whereverHe wishes.
"[It is I] who saysof Cyrus,'[He is] My shepherd!And he will performallMy desire.'And he declaresof Jerusalem,She will be built,'And of the temple,Your foundationwill be laid.'"
Thussaysthe LORDto CyrusHis anointed,WhomI have takenby the righthand,To subduenationsbeforehim And to loosethe loinsof kings;To opendoorsbeforehim so that gateswill not be shut:
The wordsof Jeremiahthe sonof Hilkiah,of the priestswhowere in Anathothin the landof Benjamin,
"For thussaysthe LORD,'Whenseventyyearshave beencompletedfor Babylon,I will visityou and fulfillMy goodwordto you, to bringyou backto thisplace.
Persia,Ethiopiaand Putwith them, allof them [with] shieldand helmet;
And Danielcontinueduntilthe firstyearof Cyrusthe king.
Now in the secondyearof the reignof Nebuchadnezzar,Nebuchadnezzarhaddreams;and his spiritwas troubledand his sleeplefthim.
ThenDariusthe kingwroteto allthe peoples,nationsand [men of every] languagewhowere livingin allthe land:"May your peaceabound!
in the firstyearof his reign,I, Daniel,observedin the booksthe numberof the yearswhichwas [revealed as] the wordof the LORDto Jeremiahthe prophetfor the completionof the desolationsof Jerusalem,[namely], seventyyears.
He said,"I am A VOICEOF ONE CRYINGIN THE WILDERNESS,'MAKE STRAIGHTTHE WAYOF THE LORD,'as Isaiahthe prophetsaid."
