Category: Zechariah

A Call to Return to the Lord

1 In Novemberof the second year of King Darius’s reign, theLordgave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:

2 “I, theLord, was very angry with your ancestors.

3 Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.’

4 Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

5 “Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead.

6 But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from theLordof Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’”

A Man among the Myrtle Trees

7 Three months later, on February 15,theLordsent another message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo.

8 In a vision during the night, I saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle trees in a small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown, and white horses.

9 I asked the angel who was talking with me, “My lord, what do these horses mean?”

“I will show you,” the angel replied.

10 The rider standing among the myrtle trees then explained, “They are the ones theLordhas sent out to patrol the earth.”

11 Then the other riders reported to the angel of theLord, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have been patrolling the earth, and the whole earth is at peace.”

12 Upon hearing this, the angel of theLordprayed this prayer: “OLordof Heaven’s Armies, for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?”

13 And theLordspoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.

14 Then the angel said to me, “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.

15 But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions.

16 “‘Therefore, this is what theLordsays: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’

17 “Say this also: ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and theLordwill again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”

Four Horns and Four Blacksmiths

18 Then I looked up and saw four animal horns.

19 “What are these?” I asked the angel who was talking with me.

He replied, “These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”

20 Then theLordshowed me four blacksmiths.

21 “What are these men coming to do?” I asked.

The angel replied, “These four horns—these nations—scattered and humbled Judah. Now these blacksmiths have come to terrify those nations and throw them down and destroy them.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/1-34995fa93aac8378e0de71eedad90115.mp3?version_id=116—

Future Prosperity of Jerusalem

1 When I looked again, I saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2 “Where are you going?” I asked.

He replied, “I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is.”

3 Then the angel who was with me went to meet a second angel who was coming toward him.

4 The other angel said, “Hurry, and say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem will someday be so full of people and livestock that there won’t be room enough for everyone! Many will live outside the city walls.

5 Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says theLord. And I will be the glory inside the city!’”

The Exiles Are Called Home

6 TheLordsays, “Come away! Flee from Babylon in the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds.

7 Come away, people of Zion, you who are exiled in Babylon!”

8 After a period of glory, theLordof Heaven’s Armies sent meagainst the nations who plundered you. For he said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.

9 I will raise my fist to crush them, and their own slaves will plunder them.” Then you will know that theLordof Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

10 TheLordsays, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem,for I am coming to live among you.

11 Many nations will join themselves to theLordon that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that theLordof Heaven’s Armies sent me to you.

12 The land of Judah will be theLord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city.

13 Be silent before theLord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/2-1fdb067f3644e35bf8e077152ed5c4ec.mp3?version_id=116—

Cleansing for the High Priest

1 Then the angel showed me Jeshuathe high priest standing before the angel of theLord. The Accuser, Satan,was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua.

2 And theLordsaid to Satan, “I, theLord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, theLord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

3 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel.

4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

5 Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of theLordstood by.

6 Then the angel of theLordspoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said,

7 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.

8 “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.

9 Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets.I will engrave an inscription on it, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.

10 “And on that day, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/3-e19c81d681113beafddd34f59331b829.mp3?version_id=116—

A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees

1 Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep.

2 “What do you see now?” he asked.

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks.

3 And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.”

4 Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?”

5 “Don’t you know?” the angel asked.

“No, my lord,” I replied.

6 Then he said to me, “This is what theLordsays to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”

8 Then another message came to me from theLord:

9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that theLordof Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for theLordrejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

(The seven lampsrepresent the eyes of theLordthat search all around the world.)

11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand,

12 and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”

13 “Don’t you know?” he asked.

“No, my lord,” I replied.

14 Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed oneswho stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/4-51ca0c148cb45eba2978219d7ed0f7f3.mp3?version_id=116—

A Flying Scroll

1 I looked up again and saw a scroll flying through the air.

2 “What do you see?” the angel asked.

“I see a flying scroll,” I replied. “It appears to be about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.”

3 Then he said to me, “This scroll contains the curse that is going out over the entire land. One side of the scroll says that those who steal will be banished from the land; the other side says that those who swear falsely will be banished from the land.

4 And this is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: I am sending this curse into the house of every thief and into the house of everyone who swears falsely using my name. And my curse will remain in that house and completely destroy it—even its timbers and stones.”

A Woman in a Basket

5 Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, “Look up and see what’s coming.”

6 “What is it?” I asked.

He replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain,and it’s filled with the sinsof everyone throughout the land.”

7 Then the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, and there was a woman sitting inside it.

8 The angel said, “The woman’s name is Wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.

9 Then I looked up and saw two women flying toward us, gliding on the wind. They had wings like a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew into the sky.

10 “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel.

11 He replied, “To the land of Babylonia,where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on its pedestal.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/5-c23297b803d76a18278e4fc4e21a3d7d.mp3?version_id=116—

Four Chariots

1 Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains.

2 The first chariot was pulled by red horses, the second by black horses,

3 the third by white horses, and the fourth by powerful dappled-gray horses.

4 “And what are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was talking with me.

5 The angel replied, “These are the four spiritsof heaven who stand before the Lord of all the earth. They are going out to do his work.

6 The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west,and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south.”

7 The powerful horses were eager to set out to patrol the earth. And theLordsaid, “Go and patrol the earth!” So they left at once on their patrol.

8 Then theLordsummoned me and said, “Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spiritthere in the land of the north.”

The Crowning of Jeshua

9 Then I received another message from theLord:

10 “Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.

11 Accept their gifts, and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshuason of Jehozadak, the high priest.

12 Tell him, ‘This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of theLord.

13 Yes, he will build the Temple of theLord. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne,and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’

14 “The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of theLordto honor those who gave it—Heldai,Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiahson of Zephaniah.”

15 People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of theLord. And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from theLordof Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what theLordyour God says.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/6-a4d58c496cc318a798248c911a93882d.mp3?version_id=116—

A Call to Justice and Mercy

1 On December 7of the fourth year of King Darius’s reign, another message came to Zechariah from theLord.

2 The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech,along with their attendants, to seek theLord’s favor.

3 They were to ask this question of the prophets and the priests at the Temple of theLordof Heaven’s Armies: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction,as we have done for so many years?”

4 TheLordof Heaven’s Armies sent me this message in reply:

5 “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn,was it really for me that you were fasting?

6 And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?

7 Isn’t this the same message theLordproclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judahwere well populated?’”

8 Then this message came to Zechariah from theLord:

9 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.

10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.

11 “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.

12 They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that theLordof Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why theLordof Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.

13 “Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

14 As with a whirlwind, I scattered them among the distant nations, where they lived as strangers. Their land became so desolate that no one even traveled through it. They turned their pleasant land into a desert.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/7-4deaeb62a3613ba81f99b716cc7389b7.mp3?version_id=116—

Promised Blessings for Jerusalem

1 Then another message came to me from theLordof Heaven’s Armies:

2 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!

3 “And now theLordsays: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of theLordof Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.

4 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares.

5 And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.

6 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

7 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.

8 I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.

9 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of theLordof Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.

10 Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.

11 “But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

12 For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.

13 Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

14 “For this is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

15 But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid.

16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says theLord.”

18 Here is another message that came to me from theLordof Heaven’s Armies.

19 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winterare now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.

20 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem.

21 The people of one city will say to the people of another, ‘Come with us to Jerusalem to ask theLordto bless us. Let’s worship theLordof Heaven’s Armies. I’m determined to go.’

22 Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek theLordof Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing.

23 “This is what theLordof Heaven’s Armies says: In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/8-7f0457420aa20c1aa770ce6d8acf1691.mp3?version_id=116—

Judgment against Israel’s Enemies

1 This is the messagefrom theLordagainst the land of Aramand the city of Damascus, for the eyes of humanity, including all the tribes of Israel, are on theLord.

2 Doom is certain for Hamath,

near Damascus,

and for the cities of Tyre and Sidon,

though they are so clever.

3 Tyre has built a strong fortress

and has made silver and gold

as plentiful as dust in the streets!

4 But now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions

and hurl its fortifications into the sea,

and it will be burned to the ground.

5 The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall

and will be filled with fear.

Gaza will shake with terror,

as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed.

Gaza’s king will be killed,

and Ashkelon will be deserted.

6 Foreigners will occupy the city of Ashdod.

I will destroy the pride of the Philistines.

7 I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths

and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth.

Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God

and become like a clan in Judah.

The Philistines of Ekron will join my people,

as the ancient Jebusites once did.

8 I will guard my Temple

and protect it from invading armies.

I am watching closely to ensure

that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land.

Zion’s Coming King

9 Rejoice, O people of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!

Look, your king is coming to you.

He is righteous and victorious,

yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—

riding on a donkey’s colt.

10 I will remove the battle chariots from Israel

and the warhorses from Jerusalem.

I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,

and your king will bring peace to the nations.

His realm will stretch from sea to sea

and from the Euphrates Riverto the ends of the earth.

11 Because of the covenant I made with you,

sealed with blood,

I will free your prisoners

from death in a waterless dungeon.

12 Come back to the place of safety,

all you prisoners who still have hope!

I promise this very day

that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.

13 Judah is my bow,

and Israel is my arrow.

Jerusalemis my sword,

and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks.

14 TheLordwill appear above his people;

his arrows will fly like lightning!

The SovereignLordwill sound the ram’s horn

and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.

15 TheLordof Heaven’s Armies will protect his people,

and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones.

They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine.

They will be filled with blood like a bowl,

drenched with blood like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day theLordtheir God will rescue his people,

just as a shepherd rescues his sheep.

They will sparkle in his land

like jewels in a crown.

17 How wonderful and beautiful they will be!

The young men will thrive on abundant grain,

and the young women will flourish on new wine.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/9-37c91d2f22d98fb410181fba69f6227d.mp3?version_id=116—

The Lord Will Restore His People

1 Ask theLordfor rain in the spring,

for he makes the storm clouds.

And he will send showers of rain

so every field becomes a lush pasture.

2 Household gods give worthless advice,

fortune-tellers predict only lies,

and interpreters of dreams pronounce

falsehoods that give no comfort.

So my people are wandering like lost sheep;

they are attacked because they have no shepherd.

3 “My anger burns against your shepherds,

and I will punish these leaders.

For theLordof Heaven’s Armies has arrived

to look after Judah, his flock.

He will make them strong and glorious,

like a proud warhorse in battle.

4 From Judah will come the cornerstone,

the tent peg,

the bow for battle,

and all the rulers.

5 They will be like mighty warriors in battle,

trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet.

Since theLordis with them as they fight,

they will overthrow even the enemy’s horsemen.

6 “I will strengthen Judah and save Israel;

I will restore them because of my compassion.

It will be as though I had never rejected them,

for I am theLordtheir God, who will hear their cries.

7 The people of Israelwill become like mighty warriors,

and their hearts will be made happy as if by wine.

Their children, too, will see it and be glad;

their hearts will rejoice in theLord.

8 When I whistle to them, they will come running,

for I have redeemed them.

From the few who are left,

they will grow as numerous as they were before.

9 Though I have scattered them like seeds among the nations,

they will still remember me in distant lands.

They and their children will survive

and return again to Israel.

10 I will bring them back from Egypt

and gather them from Assyria.

I will resettle them in Gilead and Lebanon

until there is no more room for them all.

11 They will pass safely through the sea of distress,

for the waves of the sea will be held back,

and the waters of the Nile will dry up.

The pride of Assyria will be crushed,

and the rule of Egypt will end.

12 By my powerI will make my people strong,

and by my authority they will go wherever they wish.

I, theLord, have spoken!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/ZEC/10-d8f4b6105c23ed4b8b398872a77b15b1.mp3?version_id=116—