2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Contemporary English Version

Cyrus Lets the Jews Return Home

(Ezra 1.1-4)

²² In the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia,^[a] the Lord had Cyrus send a message to all parts of his kingdom. This happened just as Jeremiah the Lord's prophet had promised. ^23 (A) The message said:

I am King Cyrus of Persia.

The Lord God of heaven has made me the ruler of every nation on earth. He has also chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The Lord God will watch over any of his people who want to go back to Judah.