The book of Ezra contains the stories of the first two returns of the Jewish exiles at the conclusion of the Babylonian captivity. Ezra 1–6 portrays the first return led by Zerubbabel and the construction of the second temple in Jerusalem (538–516 BC). Ezra 7–10 presents the second return led by Ezra and the reformation of the people under his leadership (458–457 BC). With the decree of Cyrus king of Persia (559–530 BC), the Jewish people were granted permission to return to their land and to rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. Moreover, Cyrus returned the temple articles that had been taken by the Babylonians so that the captives could use them in the new temple.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."