1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,a2"The LORD has been very angry with your fathers.3"Therefore, say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of armies, "Return to Me," says the LORD of armies, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of armies.b4"Do not be as your fathers to whom the former prophets cried out, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of armies, "Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds."' But they did not hear, nor hearken to Me," says the LORD.c5"Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?d6"Did not My words and My statutes that I commanded My servants the prophets overtake your fathers? So they returned and said, 'As the LORD of armies thought to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our deeds, so He has dealt with us.' '' "e7On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, that is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet.f8During the night I had a vision, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the valley bottom. And behind him there were red horses, speckled and white.g9Then I said, "O my lord, what are these?" And the angel who talked with me said, "I will show you what these are."h10Then the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, "These are those whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth."i11And they answered the angel of the LORD who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, "We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth sits still and is at rest."j12Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, "O LORD of armies, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against whom You have had indignation these seventy years?"k13Then the LORD answered the angel who talked with me with good words and comfortable words.l14So the angel who communed with me said to me, "Cry out, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of armies, "I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great zeal.15"And I am very displeased with the nations that are at ease. For while I was only a little angry, they increased the calamity."m16'Therefore, thus says the LORD, "I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies. My house will be built in it," says the LORD of armies, "and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem."'n17"Cry out again, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of armies, "My cities through prosperity will again be spread abroad. And the LORD will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem." '' "o18Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold four horns.19And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these?" And he answered me, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."p20And the LORD showed me four craftsmen.21Then I said, "What are these coming to do?" And He said, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, so that no man lifts up his head. But these have come to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it."q
a Zc 7:1 b Mt 23:35 c Ne 12:4,16 d Ml 3:7-10 e 2 Ch 36:15,16 f Is 31:6 g Is 55:11 h Lm 1:18; 2:17 i Rv 6:4 j Zc 6:2-7 k Zc 4:4,5,13; 6:4 l Hb 1:14 m Ps 103:20,21 n Ps 74:10 o Jr 25:11,12; 29:10 p Jr 29:10 q Zc 8:2 r Is 47:6 s Zc 2:10; 8:3 t Er 6:14,15 u Is 44:28 v Zc 2:1-3 w Is 40:1,2; 51:3 x Zc 2:12 y Lm 2:17 z Er 4:1,4,7 a Ps 75:10 b Ps 75:4,5
Chapter 2
1I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.2Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is."a3And behold, the angel who talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him.4And he said to him, "Run! Speak to this young man, saying, 'Jerusalem will be inhabited as towns without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.5'For I,' says the LORD, 'will be to her a wall of fire all around. And I will be the glory in her midst.'b6"Ho there! Flee from the land of north," says the LORD. "For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven," says the LORD.7"Deliver yourself, O Zion, who dwells with the daughter of Babylon."d8For thus says the LORD of armies, "After glory He has sent me to the nations that plundered you. For he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.e9"For behold, I will shake My hand on them and they will be plunder for their servants. And you will know that the LORD of armies has sent me to you.f10"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion. For behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you," says the LORD.g11"And many nations will be joined to the LORD in that day, and will be My people. And I will dwell in the midst of you and you will know that the LORD of armies has sent Me to you.h12"And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the holy land and will choose Jerusalem again.i13"Be silent before the LORD all flesh, for He has aroused Himself out of His holy habitation."j
a Jr 31:39 b Rv 11:1 c Jr 31:27 d Is 26:1 e Is 60:19 f Is 48:20 g Dt 28:64 h Is 48:20 i Dt 32:10 j Is 19:16 k Zc 4:9 l Is 12:6 m Lv 26:12 n Is 2:2,3 o Zc 3:10 p Ex 12:49 q Ez 33:33 r Dt 32:9 s Hk 2:20 t Ps 68:5
Chapter 3
1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.a2And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebukes you, O Satan, even the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"b3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel.c4And He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." Again He said to him, "Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich garments."d5Then I said, "Let them set a clean turban on his head." So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him with rich garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.e6Then the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,7"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My commandments, then you will also judge My house and will also keep My courts. And I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.f8'Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you--for indeed they are men who are a sign. For behold, I am going to bring in My Servant the Branch.g9'For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua. There are seven eyes on that stone. Behold, I will engrave an inscription,' says the LORD of armies, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.h10'In that day,' says the LORD of armies, 'you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.'i
a Hg 1:1 b Ps 109:6 c Jd 9 d Rm 8:33 e Am 4:11 f Is 64:6 g Is 61:10 h Ex 29:6 i Lv 8:35 j Dt 17:9,12 k Zc 3:4 l Ps 71:7 m Is 42:1 n Is 11:1; 53:2; Jr 23:5 o Ps 118:22 p Zc 4:10 q Jr 31:34; 50:20 r Zc 2:11 s Is 36:16
Chapter 4
1And the angel who talked with me came again and awakened me, as a man who is awakened out of his sleep.a2And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I have looked, and behold a lampstand all of gold with a bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps, and seven spouts to the seven lamps that are on its top.b3"And two olive trees are by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side."c4Then I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?"5Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."6Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of armies.d7'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" 'e8Furthermore, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,9"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands will also finish it. And you will know that the LORD of armies has sent me to you.f10"For who has despised the day of small things? For they will rejoice and will see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven. They are the eyes of the LORD that run throughout the whole earth.g11Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on its left side?"12And I answered again and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil from themselves?"13And he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."14Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."h
a Zc 1:9; 2:3 b Dn 8:18 c Rv 1:12 d Rv 4:5 e Rv 11:3,4 f Hg 1:1 g Hs 1:7 h Jr 51:25 i Ps 118:22 j Er 3:10,11,13 k Er 3:8-10; 5:16 l Er 6:14,15 m Zc 2:9,11; 6:15 n Is 43:16 o Hg 2:3 p 2 Ch 16:9 q Zc 4:3 r Rv 11:4 s Zc 3:1-7
Chapter 5
1Then I turned and lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a flying scroll.2And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I answered, "I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width is ten cubits."a3Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals will be cut off according to the writing on one side. And everyone who swears will be cut off according to the writing on the other side.b4"I will bring it forth," says the LORD of armies, "and it will enter into the house of the thief and into the house of him who swears falsely by My name. And it will remain in the midst of his house and will consume it with its timber and its stones."c5Then the angel who talked with me went out and said to me, "Lift up now your eyes and see what is going forth."6Then I said, "What is it?" And he said, "This is a basket that goes forth." Furthermore, he said, "This is the iniquity throughout all the land.d7"And behold, the cover of lead was raised. And this is a woman who sits inside the basket."8And he said, "This is wickedness." Then he cast it into the midst of the basket. And he cast the weight of lead on its opening.9Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings. For they had wings like the wings of a stork. And they lifted up the basket between the earth and the heaven.10Then I said to the angel who talked with me, "Where are they taking the basket?"11And he said to me, "To build from it a house in the land of Shinar. When it is ready, the basket will be set there on its own pedestal."e
a Ez 2:9 b Ml 4:6 c Ex 20:15 d Lv 19:12 e Lv 14:34,35 f Lv 11:13,19 g Zc 5:5 h Jr 29:5,28 i Gn 10:10
Chapter 6
1Then I turned and lifted up my eyes. And I looked, and behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze.2With the first chariot were red horses, and with the second chariot black horses,3and with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong dappled gray horses.a4Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"b5Then the angel answered and said to me, "These are the four spirits of the heavens who go out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.c6"The one with the black horses is going forth into the north country, and the white are going forth after them, and the dappled gray are going forth toward the south country.7"And the strong steeds went forth, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth." And He said, "Go! Walk to and fro throughout the earth." So they walked to and fro throughout the earth.8Then He cried out to me and spoke to me, saying, "Behold, these that go toward the north country have appeased My Spirit in the north country."9And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,10"Take an offering from the exiles, even from Heldai, from Tobijah and from Jedaiah who have come from Babylon, and go the same day and enter into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.11"Then take silver and gold, and make crowns. And set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jozadak, the high priest.i12Then speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of armies, "Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch. He will branch out from His place, and He will build the temple of the LORD.13"Even He will build the temple of the LORD. And He will bear the glory, and will sit and rule on His throne. And He will be a priest on His throne. And the counsel of peace will be between them both."'14"And the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem and to Tobijah and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah.15"And those who are far off will come and build in the temple of the LORD. Then you will know that the LORD of armies has sent me to you. And this will come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."
a Zc 1:8 b Rv 6:5 c Zc 5:10 d Hb 1:7,14 e Dn 7:10 f Jr 1:14 g Zc 1:10 h Ec 10:4 i Ex 29:6 j Hg 1:1 k Jn 1:45 l Zc 3:8 m Mt 16:18; Ep 2:20; Hb 3:3 n Is 22:24 o Ps 110:4; Hb 3:1 p Ex 12:14 q Is 57:19
Chapter 7
1Now it came to pass in the fourth year of King Darius, that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chisleu.2Now those of Bethel sent Sherezer and Regem Melech, and their men in order to pray before the LORD,3and to speak to the priests who were in the house of the LORD of armies, and to the prophets, saying, "Should I weep in the fifth month, and abstain as I have done these many years?"4Then the word of the LORD of armies came to me, saying,5"Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months, even those seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted?6'And when you ate, and when you drank, did you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?7'Should you not hear the words that the LORD has cried out by the former prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities around her, when men inhabited the Negev and the plain?'8And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,9"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'Execute true justice and show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.10'And do not oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor. And do not allow any of you to imagine in your heart evil against his brother.'11"But they refused to hearken and turned a stubborn shoulder. And they stopped their ears so that they would not hear.12"Yes, they made their hearts as flint, lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of armies had sent in His Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore, there came great wrath from the LORD of armies.13"Therefore, it has come to pass just as He called and they would not hear. So they called and I would not hear," says the LORD of armies.14"But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they did not know. "Thus the land was desolate behind them so that no man passed through nor returned, for they made the pleasant land desolate."
a Ml 2:7 b Zc 8:19 c Is 58:1-9 d Jr 41:1 e Zc 1:12 f Rm 14:6 g 1 Ch 29:22 h Zc 1:4 i Jr 17:26 j Jr 7:28 k Ex 22:22 l Mc 2:1 m Ne 9:29 n Jr 17:23 o Ez 11:19 p Ne 9:29,30 q Dn 9:11,12 r Pv 1:24-28 s Dt 4:27; 28:64
Chapter 8
1Again the word of the LORD of armies came to me, saying,2"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'I was zealous for Zion with great zeal, and I was zealous for her with great fury.'3"Thus says the LORD, 'I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And Jerusalem will be called a city of truth and the mountain of the LORD of armies the holy mountain.'4"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'There old men and old women will again dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand because of age.5"And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.'6"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'If it is marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in My eyes?' says the LORD of armies.7"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'I will save My people from the east country and from the west country.8"Then I will bring them and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and in righteousness.'9"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day when the foundation of the house of the LORD of armies was laid, to the end that the temple might be built.10'For before these days there were no wages for man, nor any hire for beast, nor was there any peace for him who went out or came in because of the affliction. For I set all men one against another.11'But now I will not be to the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the LORD of armies.12'For the seed will be prosperous. The vine will give her fruit and the ground will give her increase, and the heavens will give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.13'And it will come to pass that as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not fear, but let your hands be strong.'14'For thus says the LORD of armies, 'As I thought to punish you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,' says the LORD of armies, 'and I have not relented,15'so again I have thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear.16'These are the things that you will do: Every man speak truth to his neighbor. Give the judgment in your gates for truth, justice and peace.17'And let none of you devise evil in your heart against his neighbor. And love no false oath. For all these are things that I hate,' says the LORD."18Now the word of the LORD of armies came to me, saying,19"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth, will be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore, love the truth and peace.'20"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'It will yet come to pass that there will come people and the inhabitants from many cities.21'And the inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, "Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD and to seek the LORD of armies. I will go also."22'Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of armies in Jerusalem and to pray before the LORD.'23"Thus says the LORD of armies, 'In those days it will come to pass that ten men from every language of the nations will take hold of the garment of him who is a Jew, saying, "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." '
a Zc 1:14 b Zc 1:16 c Zc 2:10,11 d Is 1:21 e Is 2:2,3 f Jr 31:23 g Is 65:20 h Jr 30:19,20 i Lk 1:37 j Is 11:11 k Zp 3:20 l Jr 30:22; 31:1,33 m Jr 4:2 n Hg 2:4 o Er 5:1,2; 6:14 p Hg 2:18 q Hg 1:6,9 r Hg 2:15-19 s Jl 2:22 t Ps 67:6 u Hg 1:10 v Jr 42:18 w Gn 12:2 x Jr 31:28 y 2 Ch 36:16 z Zc 7:9,10 a Ep 4:25 b Pv 3:29 c Jr 52:6 d Jr 52:12 e 2 Kg 25:25 f Jr 52:4 g Et 8:17 h Zc 8:16 i Is 2:2,3 j Is 60:3; 66:23 k Is 3:6 l Is 45:14 m 1 Co 14:25
Chapter 9
1The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of men, and all the tribes of Israel, will be toward the LORD),2and Hamath also, that borders on it, and Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.3And Tyre built herself a stronghold and heaped up silver as the dust and fine gold as the mire of the streets.4Behold, the Lord will cast her out and He will smite her power in the sea. And she will be devoured with fire.5Ashkelon will see it and fear. Gaza also will see it and be very sorrowful. Also Ekron, for her expectation has been frustrated. And the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.6"And a mongrel race will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.7"And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he will be for our God. And he will be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.8"And I will camp around My house because of the army, because of him who passes by, and because of him who returns. And no oppressor will pass through them anymore, for now I have seen with My eyes.9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.10"And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations. And His dominion will be from sea even to sea and from the river even to the ends of the earth.11"As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.12Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will render double to you.13"For I have bent Judah as My bow. I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece. And I will make you like a warrior's sword."14Then the LORD will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth as the lightning. And the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.15The LORD of armies will defend them. And they will devour and subdue with sling stones. And they will drink and make a noise as if with wine. And they will be filled like bowls and as the corners of the altar.16And the LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people. For they will be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign in His land.17For how great is His goodness and how great is His beauty! Grain will make the young men cheerful and new wine the maids.
a Is 17:1 b Am 1:3-5 c Jr 49:23 d Is 23 e 1 Kg 17:9 f Ez 28:3 g Is 23:1 h Ez 26:17 i Zp 2:4,5 j Am 1:8 k Ez 25:15-17 l Ps 34:7 m Zc 2:10 n Jr 23:5,6; Mt 21:5; Mk 11:7,9; Lk 19:35-38; Jn 12:15 o Hs 1:7 p Hs 2:18 q Ps 72:8 r Is 42:7 s Is 49:9 t Is 61:7 u Ps 18:14 v Is 21:1 w Zc 12:8 x Jr 31:10,11 y Is 62:3 z Is 11:12 a Ps 31:19 b Ps 45:1-16 c Jl 3:18
Chapter 10
1Ask from the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make the storm clouds. And He will give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field.a2For the idols have spoken vanity and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore, they went their way as a flock. They were troubled because there was no shepherd.3"My anger was kindled against the shepherds and I punished the goats. For the LORD of armies has visited His flock the house of Judah and has made them as His majestic horse in the battle.4From him came forth the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, out of him the battle bow, from him every ruler, all of them together.5"And they will be as mighty men that tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle. And they will fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses will be shamed.6"And I will strengthen the house of Judah and I will save the house of Joseph. And I will bring them again to place them, for I have mercy on them. And they will be as though I had not cast them off, because I am the LORD their God and will hear them.7"And those of Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as with wine. Yes, their children will see it and be glad. Their heart will rejoice in the LORD.8"I will whistle for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. And they will increase as they have increased.9"I will also bring them again out of the land of Egypt and gather them out of Assyria. And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, until no place will be found for them.10"And he will pass through the sea with affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea. And all the depths of the river will dry up. And the pride of Assyria will be brought down and the scepter of Egypt will depart away.11"Then I will strengthen them in the LORD. And they will walk up and down in His name," says the LORD.
a Jr 14:22 b Dt 11:13,14 c Jl 2:23 d Jr 10:8 e Jr 27:9 f Jb 13:4 g Jr 50:6,17 h Ez 34:5-8 i Jr 25:34-36 j Ez 34:17 k Lk 1:68 l Ss 1:9 m Is 28:16 n Is 22:23 o Ps 18:42 p Jr 3:18 q Hs 1:7 r Zc 13:9 s Ps 104:15 t Is 5:26 u Ez 36:37 v Hs 2:23 w Dt 30:1 x Is 11:11 y Is 49:19,20 z Is 11:15 a Zp 2:13 b Ez 30:13 c Mc 4:5
Chapter 11
1Open your doors, O Lebanon, so that the fire may devour your cedars.2Wail, O cypress, because the cedar has fallen, because the mighty are destroyed. Wail, O you oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has come down.3There is a voice of the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined. A voice of the roaring of young lions, for the pride of Jordan is ruined.4Thus says the LORD my God, "Feed the flock destined to slaughter.5"Those who buy them slay them and go unpunished, and each of those who sell them says, 'Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich.' And their own shepherds do not pity them.6"For I will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD. "But behold, I will deliver each man into his neighbor's hand, and into the hand of his king. And they will strike the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them."7So I will feed the flock for slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs. One I called Grace and the other I called Unity. Then I fed the flock.8I also cut off three shepherds in one month. And my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me.9Then I said, "I will not feed you. What is to die, let it die. And that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off. And let the remainder eat the flesh of one another."10Then I took my staff, even Grace, and cut it in two so that I might break the covenant that I had made with all the people.11So it was broken in that day. Thus the poor of the flock who waited on me knew that it was the word of the LORD.12Then I said to them, "If you think good give me my wages, and if not, refrain." So they weighed for my wage thirty pieces of silver.13Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter that goodly wage at which I was valued by them." And I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.14Then I cut my other staff in two, even Unity, so that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.15Then the LORD said to me, "Take again for yourself the instruments of a foolish shepherd.16"For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young one, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which still stands. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their claws in pieces.17"Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! The sword will be on his arm and on his right eye. His arm will be completely dried up and his right eye will be utterly darkened."
a Zc 10:10 b Ez 31:3 c Is 32:19 d Jr 25:34-36 e Jr 2:3; 50:7 f Hs 12:8 g Ez 34:2,3 h Zp 3:12 i Hs 5:7 j Jr 15:2 k Zp 3:12 l Ex 21:32; Mt 26:15; 27:9,10 m Mt 27:3-10 n Is 56:11 o Ez 34:1-10 p Jr 23:1
Chapter 12
1The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel. The LORD, who stretches forth the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, says,2"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the people all around. And when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.3"And in that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all people. All who burden themselves with it will be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth are gathered together against it.4"In that day," says the LORD, "I will strike every horse with astonishment and his rider with madness. And I will open My eyes on the house of Judah and will strike every horse of the people with blindness.5Then the governors of Judah will say in their heart, 'The inhabitants of Jerusalem will be my strength in the LORD of armies, their God.'6"In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the forest, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf. And they will devour all the people all around on the right hand and on the left. But Jerusalem will be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.7The LORD will also save the tents of Judah first so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.8In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And he who is feeble among them in that day will be as David. And the house of David will be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.9"And it will come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.10"Then I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications. And they will look on Me whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. And they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.11In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadad Rimmon in the Valley of Megiddo.12"And the land will mourn, every family by itself, the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves, the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;13"the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves, the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves;14"all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.
a Is 42:5; 44:24 b Is 57:16 c Is 51:17 d Zc 12:4,6,8; 13:1 e Mt 21:44 f Ez 38:4 g Ob 18 h Hg 2:22 i Jl 2:28,29 j Jn 19:34,37; 20:27; Rv 1:7 k Jr 6:26 l Rv 1:7 m 2 Kg 23:29 n Mt 24:30 o Lk 3:31 p Rv 1:7 m 2 Kg 23:29 n Lk 3:31
Chapter 13
1"In that day there will be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.a2"And it will come to pass in that day," says the LORD of armies, "that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will no longer be remembered. And I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.b3"Now it will come to pass in that day that each of the prophets will be ashamed of his vision when he has prophesied. Neither will they wear a hairy garment to deceive.4"But he will say, 'I am no prophet. I am a farmer, for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.'5"Then one will say to him, 'What are these wounds on your body?' Then he will answer, 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.'d6"Awake, O sword, against My shepherd and against the man who is My companion," says the LORD of armies. "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn My hand on the little ones.7"Now it will come to pass that in all the land," says the LORD, "two-thirds in it will be cut off and die, but one-third will be left in it.8"And I will bring the one-third through the fire and will refine them as silver is refined. And I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name and I will hear them. I will say, 'It is My people.' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'e
a Rv 21:6,7 b Hb 9:14 c Ez 36:25 d Ex 23:13 e Jr 23:14,15 f Dt 18:20 g Dt 13:6-11 h Mc 3:6,7 i 2 Kg 1:8 j Jn 10:30; Mt 26:31,56,67; Mk 14:27; 1 Pt 5:4; Rv 7:16,17 n Lk 12:32 o Ez 5:2,4,12 p Rm 11:5 q Is 48:10 r 1 Pt 1:6,7 s Ps 50:15 t Hs 2:23
Chapter 14
1Behold, the day of the LORD is coming and your plunder will be divided in the midst of you.2For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished. And half of the city will go forth into captivity and the remnant of the people will not be cut off from the city.3Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as when He fought in the day of battle.4His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives that is in front of Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives will divide in its middle from the east and from the west. There will be a very great valley. And half of the mountain will move toward the north and half of it toward the south.5And you will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel. Yes, you will flee as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. And the LORD my God will come and gather the saints with You.6Then it will come to pass in that day that there will be no light. The lights will dwindle.7But it will be a day that is known to the LORD, neither day nor night. But it will come to pass that in evening it will be light.8And it will be in that day that living waters will go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea. It will be in summer and in winter.9And the LORD will be King over all the earth. In that day there will be one LORD and His name one.10All the land will be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. And it will be lifted up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin's Gate to the place of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and to the Tower of Hananeel and to the king's winepresses.11And men will dwell in it, and there will be no more utter destruction. But Jerusalem will be safely inhabited.12And this will be the plague with which the LORD will smite all the people who have fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will consume away while they stand on their feet and their eyes will consume away in their sockets, and their tongue will consume away in their mouths.13And it will come to pass in that day that a great tumult from the LORD will be among them. Everyone will take hold of the hand of his neighbor, and his hand will rise up against the hand of his neighbor.14And Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of the nations all around will be gathered together, gold and silver and apparel, in great abundance.15And so will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel and of the donkey, and of all the cattle that will be in those camps.16In that day there will be on the bells of the horses, "HOLY TO THE LORD." And the pots in the LORD'S house will be like the bowls before the altar.17Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of armies. And all those who sacrifice will come and take from them, and cook in them. And in that day the Canaanite will no longer be in the house of the LORD of armies.
a Is 13:6,9 b Zc 12:2,3 c Ez 11:23 d Jl 3:12 e Am 1:1 f Mt 24:30,31; 25:31 g Jl 3:11 h Mt 24:36,31; 25:31 i Is 2:2,3 j Is 13:9,10 k Is 2:7 l Dt 6:4 m Zc 12:6 n Jr 31:38 o Jr 31:40 p Jr 23:6 q Is 2:2,3 r Jg 7:22 s Ez 39:10,17 t Zc 14:12 u Is 2:2,3; 60:6-9; 66:18-21 v Is 27:13 w Lv 23:34-44 x Is 60:12 y Is 19:21 z Dt 11:10 a Is 23:18 b Ez 46:20 c Ep 2:19-22 d Ep 2:19-22