Ezra 1:1 Cross References - NSB

¹ It was the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia. In order that the word of Jehovah (YHWH) given by the mouth of Jeremiah might come true, Jehovah moved the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia. He made a public statement through all his kingdom, and put it in writing, saying:

²² In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia. He sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing. He said: ²³ Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: »Jehovah, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may Jehovah his God be with him, and let him go up!«

¹³ »‘In the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, Cyrus the king gave an order for the building of this house of God. ¹⁴ »‘The gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple in Jerusalem, were put into the house of his god in Babylon. Cyrus the king took these from the house of his god in Babylon, and gave them to Sheshbazzar, whom he had made ruler.’ ¹⁵ He said to him: »Go, take these vessels, and put them in the Temple in Jerusalem. Let the house of God be constructed again in its place.«

²² They joyfully kept the feast of unleavened bread for seven days. Jehovah filled them with joy by turning the heart of the king of Assyria to them to give them help in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

²⁷ Praise be to Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing into the heart of the king, to make fair the house of Jehovah that is in Jerusalem.

⁴⁶ He let them find compassion from all those who held them captive.

¹ Jehovah controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream. He turns it where ever he wishes.

¹² »‘When the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation for their crimes,’ declares Jehovah. ‘I will turn Babylon into a permanent wasteland. ¹³ »‘I will bring on that land all the disasters I threatened to do to it, everything that Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations, everything written in this book. ¹⁴ »‘Many nations and great kings will make slaves of the people of Babylon. I will pay them back for what they have done.’«

¹⁰ »This is what Jehovah says: ‘When Babylon's seventy years are over I will come to you. I will keep my promise to you and bring you back to this place.

⁷ »I will restore Judah and Israel and rebuild them as they were before. ⁸ »I will cleanse them from all the sins that they have committed against me. I will forgive them for all the sins that they have committed against me and for rebelling against me. ⁹ »Jerusalem will be my source of joy, praise, and honor. All the nations on earth will hear about all the blessings that I will give to Jerusalem. They will be afraid and tremble because of all the prosperity that I will provide for it.’« ¹⁰ »This is what Jehovah says: ‘You have said that this place is ruined and that no people or animals live in it. It is true! The cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted. No people or animals live there. But once again you will hear, ¹¹ »Yes, you will hear the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms. You will hear those who bring thank offerings to Jehovah’s Temple.«’ »‘They will say: Give thanks to Jehovah of Hosts because Jehovah is good, because his mercy endures forever. I will restore the prosperity of the land to what they were before,«’ says Jehovah. ¹² »Jehovah of Hosts said: ‘In this land that is like a desert and where no people or animals live, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can take their sheep.’ ¹³ »‘In mountain towns, in the foothills, and in southern Judah, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep.’ I Jehovah have spoken.«

¹ It was the second year of his reign. He was troubled and could not sleep. Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and was disturbed by them.

¹ John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming: ² »Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.« ³ Isaiah spoke of John when he said: »He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight.’« (Isaiah 40:3)

²³ He said: »I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Isaiah the prophet said: ‘Make straight the way of Jehovah (YHWH).’« (Isaiah 40:3)