TSK · Isaiah 49:23

I will take you to myself for a people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from your enslavement to the Egyptians.

“This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:“‘The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Artaxerxes Gives Official Endorsement to Ezra’s Mission What follows is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priestly scribe. Ezra was a scribe in matters pertaining to the commandments of the LORD and his statutes over Israel:

The King Acts to Protect the Jews On that same day King Ahasuerus gave the estate of Haman, that adversary of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Now Mordecai had come before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her.

Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated. Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted and humiliated.

They come with red cloth from Egypt, Ethiopia voluntarily offers tribute to God.

Before him the coastlands will bow down, and his enemies will lick the dust.

Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words you speak.

The Lord is the Nations’ Only Hope This is what the LORD says:“The profit of Egypt and the revenue of Ethiopia, along with the Sabeans, those tall men, will be brought to you and become yours. They will walk behind you, coming along in chains. They will bow down to you and pray to you:‘Truly God is with you; he has no peer; there is no other God!’”

But the Sovereign LORD helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.

Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light.

Your gates will remain open at all times; they will not be shut during the day or at night, so that the wealth of nations may be delivered, with their kings leading the way.

You will drink the milk of nations; you will nurse at the breasts of kings. Then you will recognize that I, the LORD, am your deliverer, your protector, the Powerful One of Jacob.

Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who intervenes for those who wait for him.

They will lick the dust like a snake, like serpents crawling on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds to the LORD our God; they will be terrified of you.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For the scripture says,“Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Listen! I am going to make those people from the synagogue of Satan– who say they are Jews yet are not, but are lying– Look, I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.