Cyrus's Order to Rebuild the Temple
2 Ezra 1, verse 1. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord from the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, and he made a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, and even put it in writing, saying, 2 Ezra 1, verse 2. “Thus says Cyrus king of the Persians: ‘The Lord God of heaven gave to me all the kingdoms of the earth. And He commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judea. 2 Ezra 1, verse 3. Who is there among you from all His people? For his God shall be with him, and he shall go up to Jerusalem in Judea and rebuild the house of the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 2 Ezra 1, verse 4. And each one remaining from all the places where he lives as a stranger, the people from where he lives shall help him with silver and gold, and goods, and livestock, along with freewill offerings for the house of the God which is in Jerusalem.’” 2 Ezra 1, verse 5. Then the heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God stirred up arose to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem. 2 Ezra 1, verse 6. And all those around them encouraged them with vessels of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and by gifts, in addition to the freewill offerings. 2 Ezra 1, verse 7. King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar took away from Jerusalem and then placed in the house of his god, 2 Ezra 1, verse 8. and Cyrus king of the Persians brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar, a ruler of Judah. 2 Ezra 1, verse 9. And this is their number: thirty gold basins, one thousand silver basins, twenty-nine knives, 2 Ezra 1, verse 10. thirty gold bowls, two hundred silver bowls, and one thousand other vessels. 2 Ezra 1, verse 11. All the vessels of gold and silver going up with Sheshbazzar from the land of exile, from Babylon into Jerusalem, totaled five thousand four hundred.