I am looking for an authoritative English translation of the Decree issued by Cyrus that allowed the captives in Babylon to return to their homes.
The text of Cyrus' Decree?
by Doug Mason 3 Replies latest watchtower bible
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CyrusThePersian
Hmmm.... I don't remember making such a decree...
Seriously, try The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East edited by Charles F. Horne (an old book, probably available only in a university library, I got mine at a yard sale.) Here is his translation of the Kurash Prism, found in volume 1, page 460 of his book:
I am Kurash, King of the World, Great King, Legitimate King, King of Babilani, King of Kiengir and Akkade, King of the four rims of the earth, Son of Kanbujiya, Great King, King of Hakhamanish, Grandson of Kurash, Great king, King of Hakhamanish, descendant of Chishpish, Great king, King of Hakhamanish, of a family which always exercised kingship; whose rule Bel and Nebo love, whom they want as king to please their hearts.
When I entered Babilani as a friend and when I established the seat of the government in the palace of the ruler under jubilation and rejoicing, Marduk, the great lord, induced the magnanimous inhabitants of Babilani to love me, and I was daily endeavoring to worship him.... As to the region from as far as Assura and Susa, Akkade, Eshnunna, the towns Zamban, Me-turnu, Der as well as the region of the Gutians, I returned to these sacred cities on the other side of the Tigris the sanctuaries of which have been ruins for a long time, the images which used to live therein and established for them permanent sanctuaries.
I also gathered all their former inhabitants and returned them to their habitations. Furthermore, I resettled upon the command of Marduk, the great lord, all the gods of Kiengir and Akkade whom Nabonidus had brought into Babilani to the anger of the lord of the gods, unharmed, in their former temples, the places which make them happy.
CyrusThePersian
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Doug Mason
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
Doug