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2-3 (A) I am King Cyrus of Persia.

The Lord God of heaven, who is also the God of Israel, has made me the ruler of all nations on earth. And he has chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The Lord God will watch over and encourage any of his people who want to go back to Jerusalem and help build the temple.

Everyone else must provide what is needed. They must give money, supplies, and animals, as well as gifts for rebuilding God's temple.

Many people felt that the Lord God wanted them to help rebuild his temple, and they made plans to go to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

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Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors(A) may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold,(B) with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings(C) for the temple of God(D) in Jerusalem.’”(E)

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin,(F) and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved(G)—prepared to go up and build the house(H) of the Lord in Jerusalem.

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