1 In the eighth month of the second year of the reign of Persian King Dareyavesh (Darius), Yahweh spoke through the prophet Zekaryah (Zechariah, son of Iddo’s son Berekyah) saying,[ref] 2 “Yahweh was very angry with your ancestors, 3 so tell this to the people: Army commander Yahweh says that if you all turn back to me, I’ll return to you. 4 Don’t be like your ancestors who’d been told by the prophets that army commander Yahweh wanted them to abandon all their evil practices, but they wouldn’t listen or pay attention. That is Yahweh’s declaration.

5 “So where are you ancestors and the prophets now? Do they live forever? 6 But your ancestors didn’t obey my words and my decrees that I commanded through my servants the prophets, but they eventually repented and said, ‘Army commander Yahweh has done to us just what our ways and actions deserved.’ ”

7 About three months later, Yahweh spoke again through the prophet Zekaryah (Zechariah son of Iddo’s son Berekyah) saying, 8 “I had a vision in the night, and was surprised to see a man riding on a red horse,[ref] and then he was standing among the myrtle trees that are in the valley, and behind him there were red, reddish-brown, and white horses.”[ref] 9 I asked, “What are these things, my master?”

Then that heavenly messenger who talked with me told me, “I’ll show you what those things are.”

10 Then the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “Those are the ones that Yahweh has sent out to roam throughout the world.”

11 They answered Yahweh’s messenger who stood among the myrtle trees, telling him, “We’ve been roaming throughout the world, and see, the whole world sits contentedly and is at peace.”

12 “Army commander Yahweh,” Yahweh’s messenger asked, “how long before you show compassion to Yerushalem and to the cities of Yehudah (Judah), which you’ve been angry with for the past seventy years?”

13 Then that messenger who’d talked with me was answered by Yahweh with kind and comforting words, 14 and that messenger told me, “Call out and say, ‘Army commander Yahweh says this: I’ve been very jealous for Yerushalem and for Tsiyyon (Zion). 15 I’m very angry with the countries that are at ease—I was only a little angry with them, but they made the disaster worse. 16 Therefore Yahweh says: I will show mercy Yerushalem again. My residence will be built within her, and the measuring line will be stretched out over her. That’s what army commander Yahweh declares.

17 “Again, call out and say, ‘Army commander Yahweh says this: My cities will once again overflow with goodness, and I will again comfort Tsiyyon and choose Yerushalem.’ ”

18 Then I looked up and wow, I saw four horns. 19 I asked the messenger who’d talked with me, “What are those?”

“Those are the horns that have scattered Yehudah, Israel, and Yerushalem.” he answered.

20 Then Yahweh showed me four craftsmen 21 and I asked, “What are those people coming to do?”

“Those horns are the nations that scattered Yehudah so that everyone went into hiding,” he answered, “But the blacksmiths have come to terrify the horns—to amputate the horns of the nations that attacked Yehudah, scattering the people.”

2 Then I looked up, and wow, I saw a man holding a measuring line[fn] 2 and I asked him, “Where are you going?”

“To measure Yerushalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”

3 Then to my surprise, the messenger who’d talked with me went away and another messenger went out to meet him 4 and told him, “Run and speak to that young man, saying: Yerushalem won’t need city walls because there’ll be so many people and animals within it. 5 Yahweh declares that he’ll become a wall of fire around it and will become the splendour in the middle of it.

6 Yahweh declares: Get up and get moving. Flee from that land in the north, because I had scattered you into the four winds. 7 Now run you people who live in Babylon—escape to Tsiyyon (Zion). 8 Army commander Yahweh said that, after he honoured and sent me against the nations that plundered you—

because whoever touches you, is messing with God’s favourite.

9 He said, “I myself will punish them, and they’ll be looted by their own slaves.”

When you see that, then you’ll know that army commander Yahweh sent me.

10 Yahweh declares: “Sing and be glad, daughter of Tsiyyon, because I myself will come and settle among you.”

11 Then powerful nations will join Yahweh at that time, and they will become his people. He will settle among you, and you will know that army commander Yahweh has sent me to you. 12 Then Yahweh will inherit Yehudah as his rightful possession in that sacred region, and will once again choose Yerushalem.

13 All people everywhere, be silent before Yahweh, because from his sacred place, he’s been driven into action.

3 Then Yahweh showed me the high priest Yehoshua (Joshua) standing in front of Yahweh’s messenger, and Satan was standing at his right to accuse him.[ref] 2 But Yahweh told Satan, “May Yahweh rebuke you, Satan—may Yahweh who’s chosen Yerushalem, rebuke you. Isn’t he energetic like a burning stick taken out of the fire?”[ref]

3 Now Yehoshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood in front of the messenger 4 who told those standing in front of him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Yehoshua, “Listen, I’ve taken away the guilt of your disobedience, and I’ll dress you in nice clothes.”

5 “Let them put a clean headband on his head,” I said, so they placed a clean headband on Yehoshua’s head and dressed him with new clothes, while Yahweh’s messenger was standing there watching.

6 Then he told Yehoshua, 7 “Army commander Yahweh says: If you’ll follow my instructions and obey my rules, then you can govern my temple and guard my courtyards, because I’ll allow you to walk among these who’re standing here. 8 Please listen, Yehoshua the high priest, as well as your companions sitting in front of you. Those these men are a sign, because I myself will bring out my servant ‘the branch’.[ref] 9 Now look at the stone that I’ve placed in front of Yehoshua—a single stone with seven faces cut on it. Army commander Yahweh declares that I will engrave an inscription on it, and I will remove the sin from this land in one day. 10 Army commander Yahweh declares that in that day, each man will invite his neighbour to sit under his grapevine or under his fig tree.”[ref]

4 Then the messenger who was talking with me turned and woke me as if waking someone from their sleep. 2 “What do you see?” he asked me.

“Wow,” I said, “I see a lampstand made entirely of gold, with a bowl on top of it. It has seven lamps on the top with a tube feeding each one, 3 and two olive trees by it—one on each side of it.”[ref] 4 Then I asked the messenger who was talking with me, “What are those, my master?”

5 “Don’t you know what those things mean?” he asked me.

“No, my master,” I replied.

6 So he told me, “This is Yahweh’s message to Zerubavel: army commander Yahweh says it won’t be my strength or my power, but with my spirit.[ref] 7 What are you, big mountain? Before Zerubavel you will become a plain. Then he will bring out the top stone to shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it.’ ”

8 Then Yahweh’s message came to me, saying, 9 “Zerubavel’s hands have laid the foundation of this temple and his hands will bring it to completion.” Then you will have confirmation that army commander Yahweh has sent me to you. 10 Because who has mocked those who make a small difference? They will rejoice and will see Zerubavel holding a plumb line.

Those seven lamps are Yahweh’s eyes that roam over the whole world.

11 “What are these two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” I asked the messenger.[ref] 12 “And what are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that have golden oil pouring out of them?”

13 Then he answered, “Don’t you know what those are?”

“No, my master,” I replied.

14 Then he said, “Those are the two anointed men[fn] who stand before the master of the whole world.”

5 Then I turned around and looked up, and wow, I saw a flying scroll, 2 and the messenger asked me, “What do you see?”

“I see a flying scroll,” I answered, “that’s nine metres long and half that wide.”

3 Then he told me, “That’s the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land. Every thief will be removed according to what it says on the one side, and everyone who testifies falsely will be removed according to what it says on the other side. 4 Army commander Yahweh declares: I will send it out so it will enter into the house of any thief and into the house of anyone who testified falsely using my name, and it will remain in that house and eat away at its timber and its stones.”

5 Then the messenger who’d been talking with me came over and said to me, “Look up and see what’s coming now.”

6 “What is it?” I asked.

And he said, “That’s the measuring bin that’s coming.” Then he continued, “That’s their eye[fn] across the whole land.”

7 Then, wow, a lead covering was lifted off and there was a woman sitting inside the measuring bin. 8 He said, “This woman is ‘wickedness’.” Then he pushed her back inside the measuring bin, then quickly pressed the heavy lead cover back over its opening.

9 Then I looked up again and wow, I saw two women with wings like stork’s wings, flying on the wind towards us, and they lifted the measuring bin up into the sky.

10 “Where are they taking the measuring bin?” I asked the messenger who’d been talking with me.

11 “To build a temple for it in Babylonia,” he replied. “And when it’s ready, it’ll be set on a base there.”

6 Then I turned and looked up and wow, I saw four chariots coming out from between two bronze mountains. 2 The first chariot was being pulled by red horses, the second by black horses,[ref] 3 the third by white horses, and the fourth by spotted gray horses.[ref]

4 I asked the messenger who had talked with me, “What are those, my master?” 5 “Those are four winds of the heavens that go out from where they were, ahead of the master of the whole world,” he answered.[ref] 6 “The chariot pulled by black horses will go north, the one pulled by white horses will go west, and the one pulled by spotted gray horses will go south.” 7 The strong horses went out and wanted to go and roam over the earth, and he said, “Go and roam over the earth.” and they went to roam over the earth. 8 Then the messenger called out and told me, “Look at the ones that are going out to the north country. They will appease my spirit in the north country.”

9 Then Yahweh’s message came to me, saying, 10 “Take the offering from the exiles that Heldai, Toviyah, and Yedayah are bringing, and go this same day and take it into Yoshiyah’s house (Tsefanyah’s son, who has come from Babylon). 11 Then take the gold and silver, and make a crown and place it on the head of the high priest, Yehoshua (Yehotsadak’s son) 12 and tell him, ‘Army commander Yahweh says:

Look, a man whose name is ‘Branch’ will grow from his place, and he will build Yahweh’s temple.[ref] 13 Yes, he will build Yahweh’s temple, and he will radiate splendour and will sit and rule on his throne. He’ll be a priest on his throne, and peace will emanate from the interaction of both of those roles. 14 Then the crown will be given to Heldai, to Toviyah, to Yedayah, and to Tsefanyah’s son Hen as a memorial in Yahweh’s temple.

15 Then those live far away will come and build Yahweh’s temple, so you will know that army commander Yahweh has sent me to you. All this will happen if you truly listen to the voice of your God Yahweh.’ ”

7 On the 4th of the ninth month (named ‘Kislev’) in the fourth year of the reign of Persian King Dareyavesh (Darius), Yahweh’s message came to Zekaryah (Zechariah).

2 The people of Bethel had sent Sharetser and Regem-Melek and their men to request prayers for Yahweh’s favour. 3 They asked the priests who were at army commander Yahweh’s temple, along with the prophets, “Should I fast in the fifth month to show that I’m mourning, as I’ve been doing for many years?”

4 So army commander Yahweh’s message came to me: 5 “Ask the priests and the people all over the country, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, were you truly fasting for me? 6 When you ate and drank together, weren’t you yourselves just enjoying the food and drink? 7 Weren’t those the same words that Yahweh proclaimed through the former prophets, when you still inhabited Yerushalem and the surrounding cities in prosperity and were settled in the Negev, and the western foothills?’ ”

8 Then Yahweh’s message came to Zekaryah: 9 “Army commander Yahweh says, ‘Judge with true justice, loyal commitment, and mercy. Let everyone do that for their neighbour. 10 Don’t oppress widows or orphans, foreigners or poor people, and none of you should plot any harm against another person, even in your mind.’

11 But they refused to pay attention, turning away stubbornly and blocking their ears so they couldn’t hear. 12 They made their hearts as hard as rock so they couldn’t hear the written law or army commander Yahweh’s contemporary messages. He’d sent those messages to the people by his spirit in earlier times through the words of the prophets, but the people refused to listen, so army commander Yahweh was very angry with them. 13 And so it was that when he called, they didn’t listen. In the same way,” said army commander Yahweh, “they’ll call out to me for help, but I won’t listen. 14 I’ll use a whirlwind to scatter them to other nations that they’ve never been to before. Then the land here will become desolate after they’ve gone because no one will pass through this land or return to it since the people have made their pleasant country into a wasteland.”

8 Then army commander Yahweh’s message came to me, saying: 2 “Army commander Yahweh says: I’m passionate for Zion with dedicated zeal and I am passionate for her with fierce anger. 3 Army commander Yahweh says: I will return to Tsiyyon (Zion) and will live in the middle of Yerushalem, because Yerushalem will be called ‘The city of truth’ and army commander Yahweh’s mountain will be called ‘The sacred mountain’. 4 Army commander Yahweh says:

Old men and old women will appear around Yerushalem’s streets once again,

≈and the people will need staffs in their hands because they’ve grown so old. 5 The city streets will be full of children playing in them.

6 Army commander Yahweh says:

If something seems impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days,

Yahweh’s declaration is: ‘It doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for me.’ 7 Army command Yahweh says:

Listen, I’m about to rescue my people from the lands to the east and to the west,[fn] 8 and I’ll bring them back. Then they’ll live in the middle of Yerushalem, so they will be my people again and I’ll be their God in truth and in righteousness.

9 Army commander Yahweh says:

“Let your hands be strong, all you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple—army commander Yahweh’s residence. 10 Because before those days, no crops were gathered in by anyone. Tthere was no profit for either man or beast, and there was no peace from enemies for anyone going or coming. I had caused every person to be against their neighbours. 11 But now it won’t be like it was in times past. Army commander Yahweh declares that I’ll be with the remnant of this people. 12 Because seeds of peace will be sown. The grapevine will produce its fruit and the soil will give its produce. The skies will give their dew, because I’ll give all those things to those people as an inheritance. 13 House of Yehudah and house of Yisrael, you were made into an example of a curse for the other nations to see. So I will rescue you and you’ll be a blessing. Don’t be afraid—work hard to finish building the temple.

14 Because army commander Yahweh says: Just as I didn’t relent when I’d planned to do harm to you all when your ancestors provoked my anger, 15 so also at this time I’ll plan to do good again to Yerushalem and the house of Yehudah. Don’t be afraid. 16 These are the things that you all must do: Always tell the truth to those around you. Judge with truth, justice, and peace in your community courts.[ref] 17 Yahweh declares: Don’t inwardly plan to do evil things to others around you all, and don’t encourage false testimonies because those are the things I hate.”

18 Then army commander Yahweh’s message came to me, saying, 19 “Army commander Yahweh says this: The fasts of the fourth month, the fifth month, the seventh month, and the tenth month will become times of joy, gladness, and happy festivals for the house of Yehudah. Therefore appreciate and strive for truth and peace.

20 Army commander Yahweh says: People will come again, even those who’re currently living in various different cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city will go to another city and say, ‘Let’s go quickly to Yerushalem to make our requests to Yahweh—to ask for the favour of army commander Yahweh. We ourselves are also going.’ 22 Many people and powerful nations will come to seek army commander Yahweh there in Yerushalem, and to beg for Yahweh’s favour. 23 Army commander Yahweh says: In those days, ten men from every language and nation will grasp the hem of your robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we’ve heard that God helps you.’ ”

9 This is a declaration of Yahweh’s message concerning the Syrian Hadrak region and focussing on Damascus city, because the eyes of all humanity, including all of Israel’s tribes, are toward Yahweh.[ref] 2 It’s also about the Hamat region which borders on Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon) which is very wise. 3 Tsor has built herself a stronghold and heaped up silver like dust and refined gold like mud in the streets. 4 Listen, my master will dispossess her and throw her wealth into the sea, and she’ll be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon city will see and be afraid. Azzah city (Gaza) will also squirm in pain. Ekron city will have her hopes dashed. Azzah’s king will die, and Ashkelon will no longer be inhabited.[ref] 6 Strangers will move into Ashdod, and I’ll end the Philistines’ pride. 7 I will remove the meat with blood still in it from their mouths and their foods offered to idols from between their teeth. Then they’ll become a remnant for our God like a clan in Yehudah, and Ekron will end up like the Yebusites did. 8 I’ll camp around my house as a guard to prevent anyone from passing through or returning so no oppressor can overrun them, because I’ve now looked with my own eyes.

9 Shout with a huge celebration, daughter of Tsiyyon (Zion).

≈Shout with happiness, Yerushalem’s daughter.

Look! Your king is coming to you bringing justice and victory.

He’s humble and is riding on a donkey, i.e., a donkey’s foal.[ref]

10 Then I’ll neutralise the chariots heading to Efrayim,

≈and the horses heading to Yerushalem,

and the bows won’t make it into battle.

He’ll speak peace to the nations,

and his dominion will be from sea to sea,

≈and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.[ref]

11 You people of Yerushalem, because of the blood of my agreement with you,

I’ll set your prisoners free from that pit without water in it.[ref]

12 You prisoners with hope, return back inside the walls.

Even today I’m declaring that I will return double to you,

13 because I’ve bent Yehudah as my bow.

≈I have filled my quiver with Efrayim.

Tsiyyon (Zion), I’ve roused your sons, against your sons, Greece,

and Tsiyyon, I’ve made you like a warrior’s sword.”

14 Then Yahweh will appear to them,

and his arrow will shoot out like lightning.

For my master Yahweh will sound the trumpet

and will advance with the storms from the south.

15 Army commander Yahweh of hosts will defend them,

and they will devour them and deflect the stones from the slings.

Then they’ll drink and shout like men drunk on wine,

and they’ll be filled with wine like bowls,

drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 Then on that day, their God Yahweh will rescue them,

as the flock of his people.

They’re the jewels of a crown that will sparkle over his land.

17 How good and how beautiful they’ll be.

The young men will flourish on grain

≈and the young women on new wine!

10 Ask Yahweh for rain in the springtime—

Yahweh who makes thunderstorms and gives rain showers to everyone

including the vegetation in the countryside.

2 Diviners tell deceitful dreams and give empty comfort

because household idols speak falsely and so those diviners envision something that’s a lie.

Therefore the people wander like sheep and suffer because there’s no shepherd.[ref]

3 “I’m angry with the shepherds—it’s the leaders that I’ll punish.

Army commander Yahweh will also attend to his flock—the house of Yehudah,

and make them like his warhorse in battle.

4 The building’s cornerstone will come from Yehudah.

≈From him will come the tent peg,

from him will come the war bow,

≈from him will come every one of their strong leaders.

5 They’ll be like warriors in battle

who trample their enemies into the mud of the streets.

They’ll go to war, because Yahweh is with them,

and they’ll shame those riding warhorses.

6 I’ll strengthen the house of Yehudah

≈and save the house of Yosef (Joseph)

because I’ll bring them back and have compassion on them.

They’ll be as though I hadn’t driven them off,

because I’m their God Yahweh,

and I’ll respond to them.

7 Then Efrayim (Ephraim, referring to Israel) will be like a warrior,

and their hearts will rejoice as with wine;

Their children will see and rejoice.

≈Their hearts will rejoice in me!

8 I’ll whistle to call them and gather them,

because I’ll rescue them,

and they’ll become as numerous as they were previously.

9 I scattered them among the nations,

but they’ll remember me in distant countries,

so they and their children will live and return,

10 because I’ll bring them back from the land of Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim)

≈and gather them from Assyria.

I’ll bring them to the land of Gilead and Lebanon

until the region is filled with them.

11 Yahweh will lead them through their sufferings.

He will strike the waves of that sea

≈and will dry up all the depths of the Nile.

The Assyria’s greatness will come to an end,

≈and Egypt’s power will be removed.

12 I will strengthen them in myself,

and they will obey what I’ve instructed them.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.”

11 Open your doors, Lebanon,

so that fire can devour your cedar trees.

2 Wail, cypress trees, because the cedar trees have fallen.

What was majestic has been devastated.

Wail, you Bashan oaks, because the strong forest has come down.

3 Listen to the shepherds wail,

because their pride and joy has been destroyed.

≈Listen to the young lions roaring,

≈because the pride of the Yordan river has been devastated.

4 My God Yahweh says: “Be like a shepherd who’s watching over the flock that have been marked to be slaughtered. 5 The ones who buy them, slaughter them and aren’t punished, and the ones who sell them say, ‘Blessed be Yahweh. I’ve become rich.’ because the shepherds working for the flocks’ owners have no pity on them.

6 This is Yahweh’s declaration: I will no longer feel sorry for the people of this country. Listen, I’m about to allow everyone to be taken over by their neighbours and by their king and allow them to destroy the land, and I won’t rescue anyone from them.”

7 So I became the shepherd of the flock that had been marked for slaughter—the ones who were suffering the most. I took two shepherd’s staffs—I named one ‘Favour’, and the other I named ‘Unity’, and then I shepherded the flock. 8 Then I destroyed the three shepherds—in one month I became impatient with them, and they also hated me. 9 So I said to the owners, “I won’t work for you any longer as a shepherd. The sheep that are dying—let them die. The sheep that are being destroyed—let them be destroyed. Let the sheep that remain start eating each other.”

10 Then I took my staff named ‘Favour’ and broke it to break the agreement that I’d made with all of my tribes. 11 So the agreement was broken on that day, and the ones in the flock who were suffering the most and who were watching me, knew that Yahweh had spoken. 12 Then I told them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages, but if not, don’t bother.” So they paid me thirty silver coins.[ref]

13 Then Yahweh told me, “Give the money to the potter[fn]—the pathetic amount that they valued you at.” So I took the thirty silver coins and tossed them to the potter in Yahweh’s temple. 14 Then I broke my second staff named ‘Unity’ to break the brotherhood between Yehudah and Yisrael.

15 After that, Yahweh told me, “Again, take the equipment of a simple shepherd for yourself, 16 because listen, I’m about to set a shepherd in place in the land who won’t care for those who’re dying. He won’t seek out the sheep gone missing, nor will he heal the crippled sheep. He won’t feed the sheep that are healthy, but he’ll tear off the hooves of the fattened sheep and eat them for meat.

17 The worthless shepherd who abandons the flock won’t end well.

May the sword come against his arm and his right eye.

≈May his arm wither away and may his right eye become blind.”

12 This is a declaration of Yahweh’s message concerning Israel—a declaration of Yahweh, who stretched out the skies and laid the foundation of the earth, who forms the human spirit that’s inside people, 2 “Listen, I’m about to make Yerushalem into a cup causing all the nations surrounding her to stagger around. It will also be like that for Yehudah during the siege against Yerushalem. 3 At that time, I’ll make Yerushalem into a heavy stone for all the peoples. Anyone trying to lift that stone will hurt himself very much, and all the nations in the world will gather against that city. 4 This is Yahweh’s declaration: At that time, I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with madness. I’ll open my eyes over the Yehudah region, but I’ll strike every horse from other countries with blindness. 5 Then the leaders of Yehudah will say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Yerushalem are our strength because of their God, army commander Yahweh.’

6 At that time, I will make the leaders of Yehudah like firepots among wood and like a flaming torch among standing grain, because they’ll devour all the surrounding peoples on their right and on their left. Yerushalem will again live in her own place.”

7 Yahweh will save Yehudah’s tents first, so that the honour of David’s descendants and the honour of Yerushalem’s inhabitants won’t be greater than the rest of Yehudah. 8 At that time, Yahweh will be the defender of the inhabitants of Yerushalem. Those among them who are weak will become strong like David, while the David’s descendants will be like God, like Yahweh’s messenger going ahead of them. 9 “On that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that fight against Yerushalem.”

10 But I will pour out a spirit of compassion and pleading on David’s descendants and the inhabitants of Yerushalem, so they will look on me—the one they’ve pierced. They’ll mourn for me, as one mourns for an only son—they will wail bitterly for him like those who wail after the death of a firstborn son.[ref] 11 On that day the wailing in Yerushalem will be like the wailing at Hadad-Rimmon in the Megiddo plain. 12 The land will mourn, each clan separate from other clans. The clan of David’s descendants will be separate and their wives will be separate from the men. The clan of Nathan’s descendants will be separate and their wives will also be separate from the men. 13 The clan of Levi’s descendants will be separate and their wives will be separate from the men. The clan of the Shimeites will be separate and their wives will also be separate from the men. 14 Each of the remaining clans will be separate and the wives will be separate from the men.”

13 “On that day a spring will be opened for David’s descendants and the other inhabitants of Yerushalem, to clean them from their sin and impurity.

2 This is the declaration of army commander Yahweh: That same day, I will eliminate the names of the idols from the country and then no one will be able to remember them. I’ll remove the false prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. 3 If anyone continues to prophesy, his father and mother will tell him, ‘You can’t be allowed to live because you speak lies using Yahweh’s name’ Then the very father and mother who gave birth to him will run him through when he prophesies. 4 At that time, each prophet will become ashamed of his vision when he is about to prophesy, so in order to deceive the people, these prophets won’t put on a hairy cloak any more, 5 and they’ll each say, ‘I’m not a prophet. I’m a man who works the soil—I’ve been doing that since I was young.’ 6 But someone will ask him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ and he’ll answer, ‘I got accidentally wounded in my friends’ house.’ ”

7 Army command Yahweh declares:

Wake up, sword, and work against the one who’s my shepherd and the man who stands close to me.

Strike the shepherd and the flock will scatter

because I’ll turn my hand against the lowly ones.[ref]

8 Yahweh declares: Then it’ll come about that throughout all the land,

that two-thirds of it will be cut off.

Those people will die—only one-third will remain there.

9 I’ll bring that third through the fire and refine them like silver is refined.

≈I’ll test them like gold is tested.

They will call out to me for help,

and I’ll answer them saying, ‘This is my people.’

and they’ll say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’ ”

14 Listen, a day is coming for Yahweh, when your plunder will be divided right in front of you, 2 because I will assemble every country to battle against Yerushalem and the city will be captured. The houses will be plundered and the women raped. Half of the city will be led away into captivity, but the remainder of the people won’t be evicted from the city. 3 Then Yahweh will go out and fight against those nations like when he fights on the day of battle. 4 On that day, his feet will stand on the Mt. of Olives, which is just east of Yerushalem. The Mt. of Olives will be split in half between the east and the west by a very great valley, and half of the mountain will go back toward the north and half toward the south. 5 Then you all will flee down the valley between Yahweh’s mountains, because the valley between those mountains will reach to Azel. You will flee just like you fled from the earthquake in the days of Yehudah’s King Uzziyah. Then my God Yahweh will come and all the holy ones will be with him. 6 On that day, there’ll be no light—precious things will freeze together. 7 On that day (known only to Yahweh), there’ll no longer be day or night, because it’ll stay light at ‘night’.

8 On that day, living waters will flow out of Yerushalem. Half of them will flow to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, both in summer and in winter.[ref] 9 Yahweh will be king over all the world. On that day there will only be Yahweh, the one God—no other gods.

10 All the land will be like the plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Yerushalem. Yerushalem will continue to be in the hills and remain in its own place, from the Benyamin Gate to the place where the first gate was, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hanan’el to the king’s winepresses. 11 It’ll be inhabited and never completely destroyed again—Yerushalem will live in security.[ref]

12 The plague that Yahweh will use to attack all the nations that fought against Yerushalem will be that their flesh will rot away even while they’re still standing on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

13 On that day, Yahweh will cause them to panic—they’ll grab hold of each other, and then they’ll start attacking each other. 14 Yehudah will also fight against Yerushalem, and the wealth (gold, silver, and clothing) from all the surrounding countries will be collected together.

15 That plague will also be on the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and on all the other animals in those camps.

16 After that, all who remain in those nations that came against Yerushalem will instead go up from year to year to worship the king (army commander Yahweh), and to observe the celebration in shelters.[ref] 17 It will happen that if anyone from all the countries in the world doesn’t go to Yerushalem to worship the king (army commander Yahweh) then Yahweh won’t send them any rain. 18 If Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) doesn’t go, then they won’t get any rain. A plague from Yahweh will attack the nations that do not go to Yerushalem to observe the celebration in shelters. 19 That will be the punishment for Egypt and the punishment for every country that doesn’t go to observe that celebration in shelters.

20 On that day, the horses’ bells will say, “Dedicated to Yahweh,” and the basins in Yahweh’s residence will be like the bowls in front of the altar, 21 because every pot in Yerushalem and Yehudah will be dedicated to army commander Yahweh and everyone who brings a sacrifice will eat from them and boil in them. On that day, there will no longer be any traders army commander Yahweh’s residence.