A reading from the first 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, the 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. That 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 precious gifts besides all their free will offerings.

The Word of the Lord.

The Lord has done marvels for us. The Lord has done marvels for us.

The Lord has done marvels for us.

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion,

we were like men dreaming,

and our mouth was filled with laughter

and on our tongue with rejoicing.

The Lord has done marvels for us. Then they said among

the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us.

We are glad indeed. The Lord has done marvels for us. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. The Lord has done marvels for us. Although they go forth

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