Bible: 2 Chron. 36:20-23

36:20 He deported to Babylon all who escaped the sword. They served him and his sons until the Persian kingdom rose to power. 36:21 This took place to fulfill the Lord’s message delivered through Jeremiah. 1  The land experienced 2  its sabbatical years; 3  it remained desolate for seventy years, 4  as prophesied. 5 

Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Go Home

36:22 In the first year of the reign of 6  King Cyrus of Persia, in fulfillment of the promise he delivered through Jeremiah, 7  the Lord moved 8  King Cyrus of Persia to issue a written decree throughout his kingdom. 36:23 It read: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: ‘The Lord God of the heavens has given to me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build for him a temple in Jerusalem 9  in Judah. May the Lord your God energize you who belong to his people, so you may be able to go back there!” 10 

NET Bible Study Environment