In a written proclamation published "throughout all his kingdom," Cyrus made known his desire to provide for the return of the Hebrews and for the rebuilding of their temple. "The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth," the king gratefully acknowledged in this public proclamation; "and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, . . . and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering." Ezra 1:1-4.

Kyros udsendte en skrivelse til "hele sit rige" og meddelte heri, at det var hans agt at lade hebræerne rejse hjem, samt at han ville lade deres tempel genopbygge. I sin offentlige kundgørelse indrømmede kongen med taknemmelighed: "Alle jordens riger har Herren, Himmelens Gud, givet mig." Han skrev videre: "Han har pålagt mig at bygge ham et hus i Jerusalem i Juda. Hvem iblandt eder, der hører til hans folk, med ham være hans Gud, og han drage op til Jerusalem i Juda og bygge Herrens, Israels Guds, hus; han er den Gud, som bor i Jerusalem; og alle steder, hvor de tiloversblevne bor som fremmede, skal beboerne støtte dem med sølv, guld, heste og kvæg, bortset fra de frivillige gaver til Guds hus i Jerusalem." Ezra 1,1-4.