2001 Translation

1

¹It was in the 8^th month in the 2^nd year [of the reign] of Darius that the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” came to ZechariAh (son of BarachiAh and grandson of IdDo) the prophet and said:

²‘[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” was provoked by your fathers
And [driven] into great rage;
³So, tell them that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies now says:

‘Return to Me’, says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies,
‘And then, I’ll turn back to you!

⁴‘Don’t be like your fathers
Whom the prophets accused.
For they came beforehand and warned them…
They said that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies
Had warned them to turn from their wicked ways
And from the bad things they were doing.
But they just paid no attention,
And chose not to listen to Me,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.

⁵‘Now, where are your fathers and where are those prophets…
Have they lived into this age?

⁶‘You have My words and My Laws;
Yes, all that I sent by my breath
Through My servants the prophets…
Those whom were seized by your fathers.

‘For [your fathers] gave this reply to [the prophets]:

‘Whatever [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies had planned
Because of our sins and our evil ways
Has already been fulfilled upon us!’

⁷Well, it was on the 24^th day of the 11^th month (the month of Shebat), in the 2^nd year [of the reign] of Darius, that the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” came to me (ZechariAh the prophet, son of BarachiAh and grandson of IdDo).

⁸For during the night, I looked up and saw a man who was riding a red horse. He was standing in the shade between the mountains, and behind him were red horses with white spots.

⁹So I asked:

‘What is this, O Lord?’

And [God’s] messenger (the person who was speaking to me) replied:

‘I’ll show you what all these things mean.’

¹⁰Then the man who was standing between the mountains spoke to me and said:

‘These [men] were sent by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”
To travel throughout the whole land.’

¹¹And thereafter, the men who were standing between the mountains said to the messenger of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”:

‘We’ve finished our travels throughout the whole land,
And Look! It’s all tranquil and filled.’

¹²So the messenger of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” said this:

‘O [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies,

‘How long will you fail to show mercy
On JeruSalem and the cities of Judah?
For, this is the 70^th year of Your rage.’

¹³And [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” replied to the messenger:

‘You, the one who is speaking for Me,
Must send him good words that bring comfort.’

¹⁴So then the messenger spoke to me and told me that I should start shouting [in joy], because [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty had said this:

‘I have a great zeal for JeruSalem…
Over Zion, I’m very zealous!
¹⁵And I’ve been provoked by the nations,
Because they had joined to attack you.

‘But, although you people provoked Me,
They planned their attack for bad [reasons].
¹⁶And because of this,’ said [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
‘On JeruSalem, I’ll show mercy,
And My Temple will soon be rebuilt there.’

Then [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” added:

‘So, I’m stretching a line over JeruSalem.’

¹⁷‘[And the messenger said]:

‘Therefore, shout aloud [in joy] once again!
For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies said this:

‘To your cities, I’ll be sending good things;
For, I’ll show mercy on Zion,
Since JeruSalem is the place that I chose!’

¹⁸Then, when I raised my eyes and looked, I saw four trumpets… ¹⁹So I asked the messenger (the one who was speaking to me):

‘What are these, O Lord?’

And he replied:

‘These are the trumpets…
The ones who brought scattering to Judah,
As well as to IsraEl and JeruSalem.’

²⁰Then the Lord [messenger] showed me four workers. ²¹So I asked him:

‘What have these come to do?’

And he replied to Me, saying:

‘They’ve come to cut down the trumpets
That brought scattering [to the people of] Judah,
And so much destruction upon IsraEl
That those who lived there could not raise their heads…
They’re the horns that the nations had raised
To scatter the land of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.’

2

¹Then I raised My eyes and I saw a man… And in his hand was the string of a surveyor. ²So I asked him:

‘Where are you going?’

And he said:

‘I’m going to measure JeruSalem…
To determine its length and its width.’

³Well at that, Look! the messenger who was speaking to me stopped, and another of [God’s] messengers came to meet him, ⁴and said:

‘Tell him that JeruSalem
Will be lived in again…
Within her, there’ll be crowds of cattle and men.

⁵‘And [tell him] that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” says this:

‘I’ll be a wall of fire to surround her
As well as the glory within her.

⁶‘So now, flee from the land in the north, says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”;
For I’ll gather you from the four winds,
⁷And those who dwell among Babylon’s daughters
Must get up and run back to Zion.’

⁸Then [the messenger said]:

‘I was sent to the nations by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
In order to establish your glory
Among the people who sacked you.

‘For, those who have dared to touch you
Have touched the pupil of my eye.
⁹So Look! against them, I’ll now raise my hand,
And they will then be the spoils
Of those who had once been their slaves…
And then you’ll know I was sent
By [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.

¹⁰‘So be glad and rejoice, O daughter of Zion;
For I’ll return and camp in your midst.
¹¹Then, many nations will come seeking refuge
Among [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” and His people…
For, I’ll be there in your midst,
And you’ll know that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty
Was the [One] who sent me to you.

¹²‘Yes, Judah will be His inheritance again
(His portion in His holy land),
And JeruSalem is His chosen city, once more.
¹³So to [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, all flesh must now bow;
For, from His holy cloud, He’s awakened.’

3

¹Then the Lord [messenger] showed me JoShua [Greek: Ιησούν, JesusYeshuaIshoa] the High Priest. And standing before him was the messenger of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”… But the Slanderer was also there, standing to his right in order to serve as his opponent.

²Then [the messenger] of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” said to the Slanderer:

‘O Slanderer,

‘May [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” send His reproach upon you…
May the Lord who chose JeruSalem
Speak condemnation against you!
For, doesn’t [JoShua now look like] an ember
That has been snatched from the fire?’

³Well, [I noticed that] JoShua was wearing filthy clothes as he was standing there in front of [God’s] messenger. ⁴So the messenger said to those who were standing before him:

‘Now, remove all of his filthy clothes!’

Then he said:

‘Look! And after you’ve removed all of these dirty things;
In a full-length robe, you must dress him!’

⁵Then he said:

‘Dress him in the [robes of a Priest],
And on his head, you must place a clean turban!’

So they dressed him in the official [garments], placed a clean turban on his head, and wrapped the [official] robe around him.

⁶And thereafter, the messenger of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” stood there and testified to JoShua saying:

⁷‘Thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘If you will walk in My ways
And keep strict watch on My orders,
I’ll [assign you to be over] My [Temple]
And to keep watch on My courtyard.
Then I’ll give you [guards] that will pace
Between other [guards] that stand still.

⁸‘O High Priest JoShua, listen to this…
Yes, you and your neighbors that are sitting before you!
For these men [will serve as] observers of signs…
They’ll be witnesses that I gave to My servant
Something that will raise his position!
⁹For I’ll place a stone before JoShua’s face,
And on this stone, there’ll be seven eyes.

‘Look! Then upon it, I’ll engrave an inscription,’

‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty,

‘It will say that I’ll [wipe out] injustice…
In a day, I’ll wipe injustice away
In all places throughout the whole land.

¹⁰‘And then, in that day, says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”;
They will each call to their neighbors and brothers
From under their own grapevines and fig trees.’

4

¹Then the messenger who was speaking to me returned and woke me up in the same way that you’d wake up a man who was sleeping.

²Then he asked me:

‘Now, what do you see?’

Well when I looked, I saw a gold lampstand and a bowl of oil… There were seven lamps on [the stand] and seven oil funnels for the seven lamps. ³There were also two olive trees… One was on the right of its bowl, and the other was on its left side. ⁴So I asked the messenger that was speaking to me:

‘What are these things, O Lord?’

⁵And the messenger that had been speaking to me replied:

‘Don’t you know what all these things mean?’

And I answered:

‘No, O my Lord.’

⁶Then he told me this:

‘They’re the words of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” to ZerubBabel;
For, you must say this to him:

‘Not by strength or great power,
But just by My breath,’

‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.

⁷‘So, who are you, O great mountain,
To stand before ZerubBabel’s face?
For, you’ll become just a plain
Before My inherited rock
Upon whom I’ll show My favor and care.’

⁸Then the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” [His messenger] came to Me and said:

⁹‘ZerubBabel’s hands that laid the foundation
Will also be the hands that complete it.
Then you’ll know that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty
Is the One who sent Me to you.

¹⁰‘For, those who have despised the days of small things
Will rejoice when they see the stone plumb bob
Held in ZerubBabel’s hands…
The stone with the eyes of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”
That look upon the whole earth.’

¹¹Then I asked him:

‘But what do the two olive trees signify… The ones on the right and left sides of the lampstand?’

¹²And I asked him again:

‘What [is the meaning of] the two branches of the trees that are around the gold handles that are used to do pouring… And the gold funnels?’

¹³So he spoke again and asked me:

‘Don’t you know what all these things mean?’

And I replied:

‘No, O Lord.’

¹⁴And he said:

‘These are two sons of the oil [or ‘fat,’ possibly meaning ones anointed with oil],
Who’ll stand beside the Lord of the earth.’

5

¹Then I turned and raised my eyes and saw what looked like a flying sickle.

²And he asked me:

‘What do you see now?’

And I replied:

‘I see a flying sickle… It’s 20 forearms long and 10 forearms wide!’

³Then he said:

‘This is the curse…
The one that will go ‘cross the face of the earth.
One side brings death to all thieves,
And the other, to those who would lie in a trial.

⁴‘For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty says this:

‘I will [soon] send it forth…
I’ll send it to the thieves who would enter My House
And to those who swear false oaths in My Name.
It will come and enter their houses,
And then it will wipe them away,
Along with their woodwork and stones.’

⁵Then the messenger who was speaking to me came up and said:

‘Now, raise your eyes and see what’s coming!’

⁶And I asked him:

‘What is it?’

And he said:

‘What’s coming is the measuring basket
That will measure the land’s unrighteous ways.
⁷Look… I have a measure of lead.
And look… There’s a woman inside of [that basket]!’

⁸Then he said:

‘This [lead] is their lawless ways!’

And at that, he threw [the lead] at the basket, and it fell into the woman’s mouth.

⁹Then I raised my eyes and I saw two more women coming. Both had wings that were like those of a hoopoe bird, and [their wings] thereafter became filled with the wind. Then they picked up the basket and lifted it between the land and the sky.

¹⁰So I asked the messenger that was speaking to me:

‘Where are they taking the basket?’

¹¹And he replied:

‘To the land of Babylon, they’ll take it,
In which there [will be] a house,
That they’ve prepared for it there.’

6

¹Then I turned and raised my eyes and I saw four chariots coming from between two mountains… Mountains that were made out of brass!

• ²The 1^st chariot [that I saw] was pulled by red horses,
• The 2^nd was pulled by black horses,
• ³The 3^rd was pulled by white horses, and
• The 4^th was pulled by horses that were spotted dapple gray.

⁴So I spoke to the messenger and asked him (this one who was speaking to me):

‘What are these, O my Lord?’

⁵And the messenger that was speaking to me replied:

‘These are the four winds of the heavens,
And they’ll stand next to the Lord of the earth…

⁶‘The black ones will go to the land of the north;
The white ones will follow behind them;
And the spotted are going to the land of the south.’

⁷Then the dapple-gray ones left, and they traveled around the whole earth. For he told them:

‘Go and travel around the whole earth!’

So then they went and traveled throughout all the lands [of the earth].

⁸Then he yelled out to me and said:

‘Look! The ones that are going to the land of the north
Have brought rest to My rage in the north.’

⁹Then the Word [messenger] of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” came to me and said:

¹⁰‘Take [silver and gold] from the rulers,
As well as from those who are wealthy,
And from those who have greater knowledge!
[You’ll find them] in the house of JosiAh (son of ZephaniAh),
Who has just returned from Babylon.

¹¹‘Then, with the silver and gold, make a crown,
And place it upon JoShua’s head
(The son of JoZadek, the High Priest).
¹²And tell him that thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”:

‘Look! There’s a male whose name is The Sprout,
And he will grow from below
To rebuild the Temple of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.

¹³‘Then, he will receive all the greatness he needs
To sit and rule from his throne.
For there’ll be a Priest on [God’s throne],
And there’ll be peace and purpose between [those two roles].’

¹⁴‘This crown will remain [in the Temple]
As a reminder to those who showed recognition
And favor to the son of ZephaniAh…
This will serve as a psalm in the Temple of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.

¹⁵‘And thereafter, from far-away places, will come
Those who’ll rebuild the Temple of [God].
Then you’ll know that I had been sent
By [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.
And all who hear this will [wish]
That they’d paid closer attention
To the voice of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” their God.’

7

¹It was in the 4^th year of [the reign] of King Darius, on the 4^th day of the 9^th month (which is Chislev) that the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” [His messenger] came to ZechariAh…

²For the king had sent SherEzar (as well as Regem and his men) to BethEl to atone [for their sins] before [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”. ³Then they said to the Priests at the Temple of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty and to the prophets:

‘The holy offering has been brought here again in this 5^th month, as we’ve been doing for a good number of years now.’

⁴And thereafter, the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies came to me and said:

⁵‘Speak to the people throughout the land
And to all of the Priests,
Then tell them [that thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”]:

‘In the 5^th and 7^th months, you’ve fasted
And you’ve beat on your chests for 70 years;
But, during all of this fasting,
Were you really fasting to Me?
⁶For, when you’re eating and drinking,
Aren’t you eating and drinking just for yourselves?’

⁷‘Now, aren’t these the same words that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” once spoke
By the [mouths] of the prophets
When He was blessing JeruSalem
As well as those in the cities [of Judah],
And those in her mountains and plains?’

⁸And thereafter, the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” came to ZechariAh and said:

⁹‘[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty said this:

‘I told them to make righteous judgments…
To show mercy and compassion to their brothers…
¹⁰Not to tyrannize orphans or widows,
Or the needy, or people from foreign lands.
And no matter what harm their brothers may do;
In their hearts, they shouldn’t hold grudges.
¹¹But, they resisted and paid no attention…
They turned their backs and just ranted,
Covering their ears, so they couldn’t hear.

¹²‘They set their hearts to resist My persuasion,
And to My Laws, they chose not to listen,
Or to the words that came from their Lord
By my breath through the hands of the prophets
(Those whom I’d sent to give them a warning)…
So thereafter, I poured My rage upon them.

¹³‘It’s the same as I’ve told them before;
When they refuse to listen to Me,
I’ll not listen to them when they call out to Me,’

‘…said [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…

¹⁴‘So among the gentiles, I tossed them
(Among nations that they didn’t know).
And from their land, they were wiped away
And they weren’t allowed to return…
For they’d brought extinction upon their choice land.’

8

¹Then The Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty[, His Messenger,] came to me and said:

²[‘God said:]

‘I’ve shown zeal for Zion and JeruSalem…
In My rage, I’ve been jealous on their behalf, ³said [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
So to Zion, I’ll now return,
And in JeruSalem’s midst, I’ll camp;
Then, it will be called The City of Truth…
The Holy Mountain of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.’

⁴‘And after that, [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty told me to say this:

‘Old men and women will once again sit
In JeruSalem’s squares,
Each with their canes in their hands…
For they’ll have lived many days.
⁵And the city will also be filled
With boys and girls that will play in her squares.’

⁶‘Then [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty said this:

‘Couldn’t this have happened to those who remained…
To those who were left back in those days? No!
But, is this something that I can’t do?
Asks [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty… No!’

⁷‘For thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘Look! I’ll [return] My people from the lands in the east
And from the lands in the west.
⁸Yes, I’ll bring them all back,
And in JeruSalem, they’ll camp.
Then, they’ll be My people again,
And in truth and righteousness, I’ll be their God.’

⁹‘For, thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘O you who listened during these days;
Strengthen your hands [to follow] the words
That have come from the mouths of the prophets
Since the Temple’s foundation was laid
And in the day that they built it…
¹⁰Back when their wages bought nothing,
And nothing was paid for in cattle.

‘For those who entered and those who went out,
There was only affliction, not peace;
And against their neighbors, I turned every man.

¹¹‘But, I won’t treat the few [that remain]
The same as I did in the past,

‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…

¹²‘Rather, I’ll send peaceful times;
The grapevines will then produce fruit;
The land will yield its abundance;
And the sky will bring forth its dew…
Yes, I’ll bring this to those who remain.

¹³‘And as for you, house of Judah;
Although you were a curse among nations,
I’ll now send salvation to you,
And you’ll be a blessing once more.
But, [you must now] be courageous,
And you must strengthen your hands!’

¹⁴‘Thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘Although I once thought to bring evil on you
Because your fathers provoked Me to rage
(And until now, I hadn’t relented),

‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty…

¹⁵‘I’ve reconsidered and I’m now ready
To do good for those living in Judah
And for those who are living in JeruSalem…
So, you must now be courageous!

¹⁶‘And these are the things you must do:
You must each speak truth to your neighbors;
You must make decisions that bring about peace;
And justice must be returned to your gates!

¹⁷‘Against your neighbors, you must not consider
Doing evil things in your hearts…
And don’t love lying oaths!
For, I detest all such things,

‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.’

¹⁸Then the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”[, that is, his messenger] came to me and said:

¹⁹‘You must fast in the 4^th and 5^th months,
And fast in the 7^th and 10^th.
Then to Judah, I’ll bring joy and gladness,
And you’ll carry good things to your holiday feasts.
You’ll all be glad, for then there’ll be truth…
There’ll be peace and love [throughout the whole land].

²⁰‘For, thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘Many peoples will then come among you,
And there’ll be many cities in which they can dwell.
²¹Then, in those cities, they’ll gather and say:

‘Let’s go beg before the face of the Lord…
Let’s seek the face of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”…
Yes, all should go there with me!’

²²‘Then, to JeruSalem, they will come
Seeking the face of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”
In order to bow down before Him.’

²³‘Thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘In those days, ten men from all nations and tongues
Will come to grab hold of the hem of each Jew,
And this is what they will say:

‘We wish to come [and live] among you,
Because we’ve heard God is with you!’

9

¹This is a proclamation… It’s the [message from the] Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” against the land of HadRach, and against [the city of] Damascus where they offer sacrifices [to him]. For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” examines all men (not just the tribes of IsraEl). ²[This proclamation is also] for HamAth, as well as Sidon and Tyre, since all their people have the same mindset.

³‘Tyre has made a fortress of herself…
She’s treasured up silver like dust,
And gathered gold like mud in the streets.
⁴So, by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, she will be owned.
He’ll strike down her power over the seas,
And she will be burned in a fire.

⁵‘Then, AshKelon will see this and fear,
And Gaza will be very grieved.
In EkRon, her errors will bring her much shame,
And the kings of Gaza will perish.

‘In AshKelon, no one will live,
⁶And in AshDod, foreign peoples will dwell;
For, I’ll soon wipe away
The insolence of the Philistines…
⁷I’ll remove all the blood from their mouths,
And the disgusting things from their teeth.

‘Then they’ll leave their things to your God
And submit to a general from Judah.
And what happened to the Jebusi,
Is the same that will happen to EkRon.

⁸‘[For God said:]

‘Then, I’ll stand in My [Temple] there in the heights
And I won’t leave it again.
No way, will [armies] march on it;
For upon it, My eyes will keep watch.

⁹‘So rejoice, O daughter of Zion;
Shout aloud, you daughters of JeruSalem;
For Look! your king will be coming to you…
The righteous one who is your Savior.

‘He will be [a person who’s] gentle,
And on a beast of burden, he will arrive…
Yes, even upon a young foal!

¹⁰‘Ephraim’s chariots, he will destroy,
As well as JeruSalem’s horses.
He’ll destroy [all the weapons] of warfare,
And send you peace with the nations roundabout.
Then he’ll rule from the waters of the [great] sea
To the rivers and passes throughout your land.

¹¹‘Then by his blood of My Sacred Agreement,
From dry pits, he will ransom your captives.
¹²Those who were captives, he’ll settle in forts,
And for each day that they’ve [been there],
He will repay them with double.

¹³‘O Judah; I’ve held you tight to Myself…
[As tight] as I’d hold a bow.

‘So, Ephraim will be [free] once again,
And I’ll awaken your children, O Zion,
Against the sons of the Greeks…
Like a warrior’s sword, I’ll use them.’

¹⁴‘Then the Lord will be seen as your leader,
And he’ll [shoot] his arrows like lightning.
Then, from the Lord [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, a trumpet will sound,
Which will send intimidation on them.

¹⁵‘For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty will serve as your shield
As you bring them [destruction].
Upon them, your [sons] will be heaping sling stones,
And drink their blood as though it were wine…
Like basins for the Altar, their bowls will be filled.

¹⁶‘In that day, [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” will be known as your God,
And He’ll save the sheep of His people…
They’ll be like [gems] in His land.

¹⁷‘Then for all that are found to be good,
And for all that are found to be fair;
The young men will be given their grain,
And there’ll be fragrant wine for the virgins.’

10

¹‘Then you can ask [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” for rain in each season

(Both the early and late rains),
And [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” will do what’s fantastic…
To all their pastures and fields,
He will send winter rains.

²‘But [right] now, there are those declaring big things…
Things that will only bring trouble.
And there are those who are having false visions…
False dreams that offer no comfort.
So [my people now wander] like sheep…
They’re ill and they haven’t been healed!

³‘So, since those shepherds have provoked [God] to rage,
He will come and visit His lambs.
Yes, [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” God the Almighty
Will visit the house of Judah (His flock).

‘And as He will do to His handsome horse,
He will order up war [on those prophets]…
⁴In His rage, He will look [down] upon them,
And [arrows will be shot] against them.

‘Yes, He’ll send [His armies] against them
⁵And His warriors will tread mud in battle.
For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” will [bless] the attack,
And to their cavalry, He’ll bring disgrace.

⁶[‘And God says:]

‘But the house of Judah, I’ll strengthen,
And house of JoSeph, I’ll save…
Because I love them, I’ll save them,
And they’ll be as before I disowned them.
Yes, because I am [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” their God,
I’ll pay attention to them once again!

⁷‘Then they’ll be like Ephraim’s soldiers…
They’ll rejoice in their hearts as though drinking wine.
They’ll look at their children in joy,
And rejoice in their hearts over their Lord.

⁸‘I’ll give them a sign that I’ll accept them…
I’ll pay their ransom and then they’ll grow
To be as many as they’d been before.

⁹‘Then I’ll plant them among all the peoples,
And I’ll be remembered by those far away.

¹⁰‘They’ll return and nourish their children…
From the land of Egypt, I’ll bring them back,
And from Assyria also.
Then to GileAd and Lebanon, I’ll send them,
And none will be left behind (no, not one)!

¹¹‘Through the narrows of the sea, they’ll march;
For, they’ll strike the waves of the sea
And before them, the rivers will dry to their depths.

‘Then the insolence of Assyria will vanish,
And Egypt’s scepter will no longer be.’

¹²‘[Yes I swear] by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” their God,
That I’ll then make them mighty…
And about His Name, they’ll boast.’

…said the Lord.

11

¹‘O Lebanon; open your doors

And let fire devour all your cedars!
²Then, all the pine trees will shriek
Because the cedars have fallen…
Yes, misery will come to your great ones.

‘And oaks of BaShan, you should now howl,
For the groves that you’re planted will all be cut down!

³‘There’s the sound of the wailing of shepherds,
Because their greatness is gone.
And there’s the sound of the roaring of lions,
For no one’s keeping watch at the Jordan.

⁴‘So, thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty:

‘Tend the sheep’ for the slaughter…
⁵Those who were bought by the butcher,
And those who haven’t repented.
For those who sold them have said:

‘Praise the Lord, because we’ve gained wealth!
And their shepherds have suffered no loss.’

⁶‘So, I’ll not spare those who live here,’ said the Lord.

‘Look! To his neighbor, I’ll hand every man,
And into the hands of their king.
Then, they’ll divide up their land,
And from their hands, I’ll not save them.
⁷So in CanaAn’s land, I’ll tend them…
All of these sheep for the slaughter.

‘Then I’ll take two sticks for myself;
The first one, I’ll call Beauty,
And the other, I’ll call Measured Land…
And then, I’ll tend all those sheep.

⁸‘In the 1^st month, I’ll take the three shepherds,
And my soul will be heavy against them,
For their souls have roared out against me!

⁹‘So I told them that I won’t tend them…
I’ll let the ones who are dying just die,
And the ones who are failing just fail…
And let the rest eat the flesh of their neighbors!

¹⁰‘Then I’ll take my stick (the one [I called] Beauty)
And I’ll throw it away
To erase [God’s] Agreement with them.
¹¹It’ll be erased in that day,
And those in CanaAn who have guarded my sheep
Will know that I am The Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.

¹²‘And then, I’ll tell them to do
Whatever they find to be good…
Yes, pay my wage or forbid it!
So, they established my wage…
It was 30 pieces of silver.’

¹³Then the Lord [messenger] said to me:

‘Now, throw them into the Temple…
But check to make sure that the [coins] are all pure;
For, this is my [value] before them.
So [he’ll] take the 30 pieces of silver
And throw them into the Temple.

¹⁴‘That’s when my second stick will be thrown
(The one that I called Measured Land),
For I’ll wipe IsraEl and Judah away
From [the land] that they’ve owned.’

¹⁵And the Lord said to Me:

‘Now, gather a shepherd’s tools for yourself…
The tools of one who is unqualified.
¹⁶For Look! against the land, I’m sending a ‘shepherd'…
One who won’t visit the [weak],
And one who won’t search for the scattered.
Those who are broken, he won’t heal,
And those who are well, he won’t lead.
He will just [break] all their necks
And devour their choicest of meats.

¹⁷‘So, you who are tending to vain things
And leaving behind all my ‘sheep;’
A sword will come against your right arms
As well as against your right eyes.
For your arms will then become withered,
And your right eyes will be blinded.’

12

¹The matter of the Word of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” over IsraEl:

‘Thus says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
The One who stretched out the skies,
Who laid the foundations of the earth,
And from Himself, shaped the breath of mankind:

²‘Look! I’ve appointed JeruSalem’s thresholds
To be shaken by the people roundabout them.
So, into Judea, they’ll come,
And they’ll surround JeruSalem.

³‘In that day, I’ll appoint JeruSalem
To be a stone that’s trampled by the nations.
For, all nations of the earth will [attack] her;
And those who trample upon her
Will mock and poke fun at her.

⁴‘And in that day,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty;
‘I will strike [Judah’s] horses with wonder
And drive their riders to ranting.

‘On the house of Judah, I’ll then raise My eyes,
And I’ll strike all their horses with blindness.
⁵But the generals of Judah will say in their hearts:

‘JeruSalem’s [people will always be safe]
Under [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, their Almighty God.’

⁶‘But then, I’ll make Judah’s generals
Like burning coals amidst wood
And as flaming torches in stubble.
For they’ll devour everyone who is around them
(Both those on their right and those on their left).

‘Yet, JeruSalem will be lived in again
As it had been before.
⁷Then the Lord will save Judah’s tents
As he did back in the beginning.
But they won’t have any reason to boast
Over the house of [King] David,
Or to think themselves better than Judah.

⁸‘So the Lord will be the shield in that day
For those who live in JeruSalem.
And in that day, even the least
Will be like David among them.

‘And the house of David will then come to be
Like the Temple of God…
As the angel that’s standing before them.

⁹‘And in that day, I’ll lift away all the nations
That marched against JeruSalem.
¹⁰Then, upon the house of King David,
And on JeruSalem’s people,
I’ll pour the spirit of mercy and care.

‘So they’ll look upon me,
Because of whom they mocked [or ‘pierced’ in the Hebrew Text]. [Quoted in John 19:37]
And they’ll mourn with the grief
Of someone who has lost his first-born.

¹¹‘Yes, on that day in JeruSalem,
They’ll all be beating their chests
As though they’d lost groves [of fruit trees].
¹²And the land will beat on its chest
For each of the tribes [by its name]…
The house of the tribe of David
As well as all of its women…
The house of the tribe of Nathan
As well as all of its women…
¹³The house of the tribe of Levi
As well as all of its women…
The house of SimeOn’s tribe
As well as all of its women…
¹⁴And the houses of the rest of the tribes
As well as all of their women.’

13

¹‘In that Day, the [springs] will all open
For the rinsing and cleansing of David’s house
And to cleanse [the people] of JeruSalem.

²‘In that Day,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies,
‘The names of their idols, I’ll wipe from the land
So they’ll be remembered no more.
And false prophets that have unclean spirits,
I’ll also remove from the land.’

³‘So, if there’s a man who still prophesies;
His father and the mother who bore him
Must tell him that he can no longer live
Because he’s told lies in the Name of the Lord.
Then his father and the mother who bore him
Must bind him, because of his prophecies.’

⁴‘And in that Day, their visions will bring them disgrace,
As will the things that they prophesied.
They’ll cover their heads with animal hides,
Because all will know that they’ve lied.

⁵‘And [such a man] will say:

‘No, I’m not a prophet;
I’m just a man who works the ground…
This is all that I’ve done since my youth!’

⁶‘But when asked:

‘Then what are these wounds in your hands [from being bound]?’

‘He will say:

‘I got these in a friend’s house.’

⁷‘O broadsword, rise up against my shepherds,
And against my own countryman…’
Says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty,
‘Strike the shepherds, and the sheep scatter…
For against the shepherds, I’m raising My hand.

⁸‘And in that day,’ says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
‘Two-thirds will be wiped away,
But one-third will be allowed to remain.

⁹‘Then, like trying gold, I’ll try all the rest.
I’ll speak to those who have called on My Name,
And tell them:

‘You are My people,’

‘And they’ll reply:

‘[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” is my God.’

14

¹‘Look The Day of the Lord has approached
When they will divide up the loot.
²For, to JeruSalem, I’m gathering nations,
And the city will thereafter be taken.

‘All of its homes will be looted,
And all the women defiled.
Then, half of the city will be led away,
And the rest (those who are My people)
will not be destroyed from the [land].

³‘But then the Lord will return
And he will attack all those nations
In his battle, on the day of the war.

⁴‘And in that Day, his feet will then stand
On the Mount of Olives (to JeruSalem’s east).
Then in chaos, the Mount of Olives will split
In halves to the east and the west.
Half of the mount will lean towards the north,
And half will then lean towards the south.

⁵‘So, flee to the valley of My Mountain,
Which [runs] to the [Wadi] AzaEl.
You must flee as in the day of the earthquake
[That happened] in the days of UzziAh.

‘For then, [your Lord] will arrive,
And bring all his Holy Ones with him.
⁶There’ll be no light in that Day…
There’ll be just coldness and ice.’

⁷[And the Word continues:]

‘But, this will all last just one day,
Which is only known by [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
There’ll be no daytime or night,
But light will arrive towards the evening.

⁸‘In that day, from JeruSalem,
Life-giving waters will flow…
Half will flow to the [Dead] Sea,
And the rest, in other direction…
This will happen in the springtime and summer.

⁹‘Then [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” will be the King of the earth;
And in that Day, there’ll be just one Lord,
And he will have just one name.

¹⁰‘Then around the land, there’ll be deserts…
From JeruSalem south to RemMon and Geba
(although RamAh will still remain in its place);
From the BenJamin Gate to the First Gate,
And the Corner Gate to the Tower of HananeEl,
To where the king’s wine vats are stored.

¹¹‘Then JeruSalem will be a safe place,
And there won’t be any more danger.

¹²‘But, there will be a great downfall
When [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” strikes down the peoples
That against JeruSalem, marched.
Their flesh will melt as they stand on their feet;
Their eyes will flow from their sockets;
And their tongues will melt in their mouths.

¹³‘And in that Day, there will come
Astonishing things from [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
Each man will grab hold of his neighbor’s hand
(Yes they’ll join hand-to-hand with their neighbors),
¹⁴And there within JeruSalem,
Judah’s people will ready themselves
To collect the might of those living roundabout…
All of their silver and gold,
As well as huge numbers of clothing.

¹⁵‘I will bring the downfall of their horses and mules,
As well as their camels and burros.
Yes, to all the cattle that’s found in their camps,
It’ll be a day of great downfall.

¹⁶‘Then, all that remain from the nations
That marched against JeruSalem
Will ascend each year to bow to the King,
To the Almighty [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”,
And observe the feast of the Pitching of Tents.

¹⁷‘Then to all who won’t come [in that Day]
To bow before the Almighty
From all the tribes of the earth;
Bad things will then come upon them,
And they won’t receive any rain.

¹⁸‘So, if the tribe of Egypt won’t come;
The same downfall will happen to them
That the Lord will bring to the nations…
To those who would not observe
The feast of the Pitching of Tents.

¹⁹‘For, this will be Egypt’s sin,
As well as the sin of all nations
When they refuse to ascend
To observe the feast of the Pitching of Tents.

²⁰‘In that Day, this is what will be [written]
Upon the bridles of their horses:

‘Holy to [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty.’

‘And then the stew pots of [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”
Will be like the bowls in front of the Altar.
²¹And throughout Judah and JeruSalem,
They’ll treat the stew pots as holy
To the Almighty [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”.
And that’s where those who bring sacrifices
Will take them to cook all the meat.

‘And in that Day, there will be no CanaAnites
To oppose [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” of Armies.’