Yahweh’s Promise to Jerusalem

8 And the word of Yahweh of hosts came, saying, 2 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion;[fn] I am jealous for it with great wrath.’ 3 Thus says Yahweh: ‘I have returned to Zion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be called the faithful city,[fn] and the mountain of Yahweh of hosts will be called the holy mountain.’ 4 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Old men and old women shall again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand[fn] because of great age.[fn] 5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its public squares.’ 6 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Even if it seems impossible[fn] to the remnant[fn] of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible[fn] to me?’[fn] declares[fn] Yahweh of hosts. 7 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Look! I am going to save my people from the land of the east, and from the land of the west, 8 and I will bring them and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They will be my people and I will be their God in faithfulness[fn] and in righteousness.’

9 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, you[fn] who are hearing in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of Yahweh of hosts.[fn] 10 For before those days there was no wage for people or for animals, and there was no safety from the enemy for those who went out or those who came in, and I sent each person against one another.[fn] 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days,’[fn] declares[fn] Yahweh of hosts. 12 ‘For there will be a sowing of peace; the vine will give its fruit, and the soil will give its produce, and the heavens will give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. 13 And then,[fn] just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. You must not be afraid; let your hands be strong!’ ”

14 For thus says Yahweh of hosts: “Just as I planned to bring disaster[fn] on you when your ancestors[fn] provoked me to anger,” says Yahweh of hosts, “and I did not regret it, 15 so again I have planned[fn] in these days to do good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Do not be afraid! 16 These are the things that you must do: speak truth, each of you, with his neighbor; practice trustworthy judgment and peace in your gates. 17 Do not devise evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love a false oath,[fn] because all these are things I hate,” declares[fn] Yahweh.

18 And the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying 19 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fifth month, the seventh month, and the tenth month will be for the house of Judah jubilation and joy and merry festivals; therefore love truth and peace.’ 20 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘It will happen again that nations and the inhabitants of many cities will come. 21 And the inhabitants of one city will go to another city, saying, “Let us go immediately to entreat the favor of[fn] Yahweh, to seek Yahweh of hosts—I also will go!” 22 And many peoples and powerful[fn] nations will come to seek Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of[fn] Yahweh.’ 23 Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from all the nations of every language[fn] will take hold of the hem of a Judean man,[fn] saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!” ’ ”

• 9 An oracle. The word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach,and Damascus is its resting place.
  • For to Yahweh belongs the eye of humankind,[fn]
    • and all the tribes of Israel,
  • 2 which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon—yes, they are very wise![fn]
  • 3 [fn] and it heaped up silver like dust,
  • and gold like the mud of the streets.
  • 4 [fn] out and will hurl its[fn] outer ramparts into the sea,
    • and it[fn] will be consumed by fire.
  • 5  and Gaza will writhe exceedingly,
  • and Ekron also, because its hope is ruined.[fn]
• And the king from Gaza will perish,
  • and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
  • 6 [fn] will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut down the pride of the Philistines.
  • 7 [fn] blood from its[fn] mouth, and its[fn] abominations from between its[fn] teeth.
• And it[fn] too will be a remnant for our God;
  • and it[fn] will be like a tribal chief[fn] in Judah,
  • and Ekron will be like the Jebusite.
  • 8 [fn] like a guard, against those crossing through and returning;
• no oppressor will cross through them again,
  • for now I have seen with my own eyes.
  • 9  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
• Look! Your king comes to you;
  • he is righteous and victorious,
• humble and riding on a donkey,
  • and on a male donkey,[fn] a female donkey!
  • 10 the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem;
• the battle bow will be cut down,
  • and he will announce peace to the nations.
• His dominion will be from sea to sea,
  • and from the River[fn] to the ends of the earth.
  • 11 As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will release your prisoners from[fn]
  • 12 the fortress, O prisoners of hope;
• today I am declaring that I will repay you double.
  • 13 as my bow; I have set Ephraim as an arrow.
• I will set in motion your sons, O Zion,
  • against your sons, O Javan.[fn]
• I will wield you like the sword of a warrior.
  • 14  and his arrow will go forth like lightning;
• and my Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet,
  • and he shall go out in the storm winds of the south.
  • 15  and they will devour and subdue the slingstones;[fn]
• they will drink, they will make noise[fn] like wine,
  • and they will be full like the sacrificial basin,[fn]
  • drenched like the corners of an altar.
  • 16  as the flock of his people;
• for they are like the stones of a diadem,
  • glittering on his land.
  • 17 great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men thrive,
• and new wine the young women.