September 25, 2003, Monday of the 25th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of Ezra.

In the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah,

the Lord inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation

throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing. Thus says Cyrus, King of Persia,

all the kingdoms of the earth, the Lord, the God of heaven, has given to me,

and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people let him go up and may his

god be with him let everyone who has survived in whatever place he may have dwelt be assisted

by the people of that place, with silver,

gold, goods, and cattle, together with free will offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites,

everyone that is, whom God had inspired to do so,

prepared to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

All their neighbors gave them help in every way,

with silver, gold, goods, and cattle,

and with many precious gifts,

besides all their free will offerings.

The Word of the Lord.

The responseorial Psalm.

The response is,

The Lord has done marvels for us.

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