So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

DANIEL, 6

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Read of Daniel's wonderful visions, "The Great Beasts," Daniel, chap. 7; "The Ram and the Goat," Daniel, chap. 8; "The Messiah the Prince," Daniel, chap. 9; The Terrible Wars in the Last Times," chaps. 10 and 11; “The Last Days," chap. 12

THE RETURN FROM THE CAPTIVITY

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying:

"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, 'The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; 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, which is in Judah, 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 for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.""

Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and

seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place.

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EZRA, 1, 2

'How the Prophet Isaiah Foretold that Cyrus Would Restore Israel and Rebuild Jerusalem," see Isaiah, chap. 44, verses 2428; and chap. 45, verses 1–13. Read also Nehemiah, about "The King's Cup-Bearer"

Stories of some who did not return

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

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When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

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For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."

ISAIAH, 43