Cyrus Allows the Jews to Return from Babylon(A)
1 The promise Yahweh had spoken through Jeremiah was about to come true in Cyrus’ first year as king of Persia. Yahweh inspired the king to make this announcement throughout his whole kingdom and then to put it in writing.
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: Yahweh Elohim of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the world. Then he ordered me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem (which is in Judah). 3 May Elohim be with all of you who are his people. You may go to Jerusalem (which is in Judah) and build a temple for Yahweh Elohim of Israel. He is the Elohim who is in Jerusalem. 4 All who choose to remain behind, wherever they may be living, should provide the people who are leaving with silver, gold, supplies, livestock, and freewill offerings to be used in Elohim’s temple in Jerusalem.
Sheshbazzar Returns with the Temple Furnishings
5 Then the heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites—everyone Elohim had inspired—came forward to rebuild Yahweh’s temple in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors who were remaining behind provided them with articles made from silver and gold, supplies, livestock, and valuable gifts besides everything that was freely offered. 7 King Cyrus brought out the utensils belonging to Yahweh’s temple. Nebuchadnezzar had taken these utensils from Jerusalem and put them in the temple of his own god. 8 King Cyrus of Persia put the treasurer Mithredath in charge of bringing them out. So Mithredath made a list of them for Prince Sheshbazzar of Judah.[a] 9 This is the inventory:
| gold dishes[b] | 30 |
| silver dishes | 1,000 |
| knives[c] | 29 |
| 10 gold bowls | 30 |
| other silver bowls | 410 |
| other utensils | 1,000 |
11 The gold and silver utensils totaled 5,400.
Sheshbazzar took all these utensils with him when the exiles left Babylon to go to Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- Ezra 1:8 Or “for Sheshbazzar, the leader of Judah.”
- Ezra 1:9 Hebrew meaning of this word uncertain.
- Ezra 1:9 Hebrew meaning of this word uncertain.