Zechariah 8

Old Men with Staffs, and Children Playing in the Streets

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I Have Been Jealous for Jerusalem

8:1The word of the Lord Almighty came, saying:

8:2“Thus says the Lord Almighty: I have been jealous for Jerusalem and Zion with great jealousy; with great wrath I have been jealous for her.

8:3Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion and dwell within Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the True City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty a Holy Mountain.

8:4Thus says the Lord Almighty: Old men and old women will again sit in Jerusalem’s squares, each holding a staff in hand because of many days.

8:5The city’s squares will be filled with boys and girls playing in her squares.

8:6Thus says the Lord Almighty: If it is impossible before this people’s remnant in those days, surely it will not also be impossible before Me? says the Lord Almighty.

8:7Thus says the Lord Almighty: Look, I am rescuing My people from the eastern land and from the western land,

8:8and I will bring them in and dwell within Jerusalem. They will be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.

Let Your Hands Be Strong

8:9Thus says the Lord Almighty: Let your hands be strong, you who hear these words in these days from the prophets’ mouth, from the day when the house of the Lord Almighty was founded, and the temple from when it was built.

8:10Before those days people’s wages will bring no benefit, and animals’ hire will not exist; those going out or coming in will have no peace because of affliction. I will send everyone out against his neighbor.

8:11Now I do not act toward this people’s remnant as in the former days, says the Lord Almighty,

8:12but I will show peace: the vine will give its fruit, the earth its produce, and heaven its dew. I will give My people’s remnant all these as an inheritance.

8:13As you were under a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will preserve you, and you will be in blessing. Take courage and be strong in your hands.

8:14For thus says the Lord Almighty: As I intended to harm you when your fathers provoked Me, says the Lord Almighty, and I did not change My mind,

8:15so I have arrayed Myself and intended in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah’s house. Take courage.

8:16These are the things you shall do: speak truth, each to his neighbor, and render peaceful judgment in your gates.

8:17Do not reckon your neighbor’s wrong in your hearts, and do not love a false oath, for I hate all these things, says the Lord Almighty.”

The Fasts Will Become Gladness

8:18The word of the Lord Almighty came to me, saying:

8:19“Thus says the Lord Almighty: The fourth fast, the fifth fast, the seventh fast and the tenth fast will become joy, gladness and good festivals for Judah’s house. You will rejoice; love truth and peace.

Many Peoples Will Come to Seek the Lord

8:20Thus says the Lord Almighty: Many peoples and residents of many cities will yet come.

8:21Residents of five cities will come together into one city, saying, ‘Let us go to entreat the Lord’s presence and seek the presence of the Lord Almighty. I too will go.’

8:22Many peoples and many nations will come to seek the presence of the Lord Almighty in Jerusalem and appease the Lord’s presence.

8:23Thus says the Lord Almighty: In those days, when ten men from all the nations’ languages take hold and grasp the fringe of a Jewish man’s garment, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you all.’”

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.