Zechariah 8
1 The word of the LORD of Hosts came to me.
2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am deeply jealous for Zion; I burn with great jealousy for her.”
3 This is what the LORD says: “I have returned to Zion, and I will dwell in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts, the Holy Mountain.”
4 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Old men and old women will once again sit in Jerusalem’s squares, each with a staff in hand because of their advanced age.
5 The city’s squares will be filled with boys and girls playing in them.”
6 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “If this seems impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible to me?” says the LORD of Hosts.
7 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am going to save my people from the land of the east and the land of the west.
8 I will bring them back, and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.”
9 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Be strong, you who hear these words from the mouths of the prophets in these days. They have been spoken since the day the foundations of the house of the LORD of Hosts were laid, so that the temple might be built.
10 Before those days, neither people nor animals earned wages. No one could travel safely, whether going out or coming in, because of the enemy; I set everyone against their neighbor.
11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as I did in former days,” says the LORD of Hosts.
12 For there will be a sowing of peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land its harvest, and the heavens their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.”
13 Just as you, house of Judah and house of Israel, were a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; be strong.
14 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “When your ancestors angered me, I planned to bring disaster on you and did not relent,” says the LORD of Hosts.
15 “So now, in these days, I have again planned to do good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Do not be afraid.
16 These are the things you must do: speak the truth to one another; judge at your gates with truth and justice that brings peace.
17 Let no one plot evil against a neighbor in your heart, and do not love false oaths, for I hate all these things,” says the LORD.
18 The word of the LORD of Hosts came to me.
19 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and happy festivals for the house of Judah. So love truth and peace.”
20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples and residents of many cities will yet come.
21 The residents of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let’s go at once to seek the LORD’s favor and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I’m going too.’
22 Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD of Hosts and to seek the LORD’s favor.”
23 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days, ten men from every language of the nations will take hold of the hem of a Jewish man’s robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”
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