Ezra 1:2

New International Reader's Version

“Cyrus, the king of Persia, says, “ ‘The Lord is the God of heaven. He has given me all the kingdoms on earth. He has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.

Cross References

1 Kings 8:27

“But will you really live on earth? After all, the heavens can’t hold you. In fact, even the highest heavens can’t hold you. So this temple I’ve built certainly can’t hold you!

2 Chronicles 2:12

Hiram continued, “I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. He made heaven and earth. He has given King David a wise son. You have good sense. You understand what is right. You will build a temple for the Lord. You will also build a palace for yourself.

Ezra 1:5

Then everyone God had inspired prepared to go. They wanted to go up to Jerusalem and build the Lord’s temple there. They included the family leaders of Judah and Benjamin. They also included the priests and Levites.

Ezra 3:7

The people gave money to those who worked with stone and those who worked with wood. They gave food and drink and olive oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre. Then those people brought cedar logs down from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea. They floated them down to Joppa. Cyrus, the king of Persia, authorized them to do it.

Ezra 4:3

Zerubbabel and Joshua answered them. So did the rest of the family leaders of Israel. They said, “You can’t help us build a temple to honor our God. You aren’t part of us. We’ll build it ourselves. We’ll do it to honor the Lord, the God of Israel. Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us to build it.”

Ezra 5:15

Cyrus told him, ‘Take these objects with you. Go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem. Rebuild the house of God in the same place where it stood before.’

Ezra 6:10

Give them those things so they can offer sacrifices that please the God of heaven. And I want them to pray that things will go well for me and my sons.

Ezra 6:3

In the first year that Cyrus was king, he gave an order. It concerned God’s temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus said, Rebuild the temple. Then the Jews can offer sacrifices there. Lay its foundations. The temple must be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide.

Ezra 7:12

I, Artaxerxes, am writing this letter. I am the greatest king of all. I have given it to Ezra the priest. He is the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven. I give you my greetings.

Nehemiah 1:4

When I heard about these things, I sat down and wept. For several days I was very sad. I didn’t eat any food. And I prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:5

I said, “Lord, you are the God of heaven. You are a great and wonderful God. You keep the covenant you made with those who love you and obey your commandments. You show them your love.

Psalm 136:26

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love continues forever.

Psalm 85:2

You forgave the evil things your people did. You took away all their sins.

Proverbs 21:1

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water. The Lord directs it toward all those who please him.

Isaiah 41:2

“Who has stirred up a king from the east? Who has helped him win his battles? I hand nations over to him. I bring kings under his control. He turns them into dust with his sword. With his bow he turns them into straw blowing in the wind.

Isaiah 44:26

I make the words of my servants the prophets come true. I carry out what my messengers say will happen. “I say about Jerusalem, ‘My people will live there again.’ I say about the towns of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt.’ I say about their broken-down buildings, ‘I will make them like new again.’

Isaiah 44:28

I say about Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd. He will accomplish everything I want him to. He will say about Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt.” And he will say about the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ’

Isaiah 45:1

“Cyrus is my anointed king. I take hold of his right hand. I give him the power to bring nations under his control. I help him strip kings of their power to go to war against him. I break city gates open so he can go through them. I say to him,

Isaiah 66:1

The Lord says, “Heaven is my throne. The earth is under my control. So how could you ever build a house for me? Where would my resting place be?

Jeremiah 10:11

The Lord speaks to the Jews living in Babylon. He says, “Here is what you must tell the people of the nations. Tell them, ‘Your gods did not make the heavens and the earth. In fact, these gods will disappear from the earth. They will vanish from under the heavens.’ ”

Jeremiah 27:5

I reached out my great and powerful arm. I made the earth. I made its people and animals. And I can give the earth to anyone I please.

Jeremiah 29:10

The Lord says, “You will be forced to live in Babylon for 70 years. After they are over, I will come to you. My good promise to you will come true. I will bring you back home.

Daniel 1:21

Daniel served in Babylon until the first year Cyrus ruled over the land of Babylon. Cyrus was king of Persia.

Daniel 2:21

He changes times and seasons. He removes some kings from power. He causes other kings to rule. The wisdom of those who are wise comes from him. He gives knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel 2:28

But there is a God in heaven who can explain mysteries. King Nebuchadnezzar, he has shown you what is going to happen. Here is what you dreamed while lying in bed. And here are the visions that passed through your mind.

Daniel 4:25

You will be driven away from people. You will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass just as an ox does. You will become wet with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants.

Daniel 4:32

You will be driven away from people. You will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass just as an ox does. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants.”

Daniel 5:23

You have taken your stand against the Lord of heaven. You had your servants bring cups from his temple to you. You and your nobles drank wine from them. So did your wives and concubines. You praised your gods. The statues of those gods are made out of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood or stone. They can’t see or hear or understand anything. But you didn’t honor God. He holds in his hand your very life and everything you do.

Daniel 6:25

Then King Darius wrote to people of all nations, no matter what language they spoke. He said, “May you have great success!

Jonah 1:9

He answered, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship the Lord. He is the God of heaven. He made the sea and the dry land.”