Ezra 1

1-11 End of the Babylonian Captivity

1-2 King Cyrus of Persia, in the first year of his reign, sends an edict throughout his kingdom that God has charged him to build Him a house in Jerusalem

3-4 All God’s people are permitted to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple; their neighbors must assist them with silver, gold, goods, animals and freewill offerings for the house of God.

5-6 Family heads, priests and Levites (“everyone whose spirit God had stirred”) prepare to go, helped by their neighbors.

7-11 Cyrus releases the temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who gives them to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah, totaling 5,400 vessels.