They madea proclamationthroughout Judahand Jerusalemto allthe exiles,that they should assembleat Jerusalem,
So they establisheda decreeto circulatea proclamationthroughout allIsraelfrom Beershebaeven to Dan,that they should cometo celebratethe Passoverto the LORDGodof Israelat Jerusalem.For they had not celebrated[it] in greatnumbersas it was prescribed.
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 Ezrarosefrom beforethe houseof Godand wentinto the chamberof Jehohananthe sonof Eliashib.Although he wentthere,he did not eatbreadnordrinkwater,for he was mourningoverthe unfaithfulnessof the exiles.
and that whoeverwould not comewithin threedays,according to the counselof the leadersand the elders,allhis possessionsshould be forfeitedand he himselfexcludedfrom the assemblyof the exiles.
