1
Koresh heard concerning the people of Yehudah and the House that had stood in Yerushalayim.
2
Counsel came before him that the captives should be permitted to return and rebuild.
3
The king asked why people taken by an earlier empire should remain bound forever to that decision.
4
A decree began to be prepared.
5
The households of Yisra’el heard rumors of release and scarcely believed them.