Home Master Index
←Prev   Zechariah 8 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


8:1  ·A message from [L The word of] the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] came to me, saying,
8:2  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “I ·have a very strong love [am jealous/zealous/passionate] for ·Jerusalem [L Zion; 2:7]. My strong love [jealousy; zeal; passion] for her ·is like a fire burning in me [or will mean wrath for her enemies].”
8:3  This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Jerusalem and ·live in [dwell in the midst of] it. Then it will be called the City of ·Truth [or Faithfulness], and the mountain of the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] will be called the Holy Mountain [C Zion, the location of the Temple].”
8:4  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “Old men and old women will again sit along Jerusalem’s streets, each carrying a cane because of age [C long life due to peace and security].
8:5  And the streets will be filled with boys and girls playing.”
8:6  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “·Those who are left alive then [The remnant] may think it is too ·difficult [marvelous] to happen, but ·it is not [L is it…?] too ·difficult [marvelous] for me,” says the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
8:7  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “[L Look; T Behold] I will save my people from countries in the east and west.
8:8  I will bring them back, and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their ·loyal [faithful; true] and ·good [righteous] God.”
8:9  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “·Work hard [L Let your hands be strong], you who are hearing these words today. The prophets spoke these words when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], for the building of the Temple.
8:10  Before that time there was no money to hire people or animals. People could not ·safely [peacefully] come and go because of the enemies; I had turned everyone against his neighbor.
8:11  But I will not do to ·these people who are left [this remnant of the people] what I did in the past,” says the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
8:12  “They will plant their seeds in peace, their grapevines will have fruit, the ground will give good crops, and the sky will send ·rain [dew]. I will give ·all this [this as an inheritance/possession] to the ·people who are left alive [remnant of this people].
8:13  Judah and Israel, your names have been ·used as curses in [or viewed as accursed by] other nations. But I will save you, and you will become a blessing. So don’t be afraid; ·work hard [L let your hands be strong].”
8:14  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “When your ·ancestors [fathers] made me angry, I planned to ·punish [bring disaster on] you. I did not ·change my mind [relent],” says the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
8:15  “But ·now [L in these days] I am planning to do good to Jerusalem and Judah. So don’t be afraid.
8:16  These are the things you should do: Tell each other the truth. In ·the courts [L your gates; C court was held at the city gate] judge with truth and ·complete fairness [sound justice; judgments of peace].
8:17  Do not ·make plans to hurt [L plan/plot evil in your hearts against] your neighbors, and don’t love false ·promises [oaths]. I hate all these things,” says the Lord.
8:18  ·A message from [L The word of the] Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] came to me again.
8:19  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “The ·special days when you fast in [fasts of] the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become good, joyful, happy feasts ·in [L for the house of] Judah. ·But you must [So; Therefore] love truth and peace.”
8:20  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “·Many people from [L Inhabitants of] many cities will still come to Jerusalem.
8:21  ·People [The inhabitants] from one city will go and say to those from another city, ‘·We are going [Let us go] to ·pray to [entreat] the Lord and to ·ask for help from [or worship; L seek] the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts]. ·Come and go with us [L I, even I (am going)].’
8:22  Many people and powerful nations will come to worship the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] in Jerusalem and to ·pray for help from [or worship; L seek] the Lord.”
8:23  This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: “At that time, ten men from ·different countries [L all languages of the nations] will come and take hold of a ·Judean [Jew] by his coat. They will say to him, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”