Zechariah 8

The LORD Promises to Bless Jerusalem

1 The word of the LORD of armies came, saying,

2 “This is what the LORD of armies says: I am extremely jealous for Zion; I burn with great anger for her.”

3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the LORD of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.”

4 This is what the LORD of armies says: “Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of age.

5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

6 This is what the LORD of armies says: “Even if this seems impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible to Me,” declares the LORD of armies.

7 This is what the LORD of armies says: “I will save My people from the land of the east and the land of the west.

8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.”

Encouragement to Rebuild

9 This is what the LORD of armies says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD of armies so that the temple might be built.

10 Before that time there were no wages for people or animals, and no one could go about their business safely because of the enemy, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor.

11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the past,” declares the LORD of armies.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce crops, and the skies will give their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; let your hands be strong.”

14 For this is what the LORD of armies says: “Just as I planned to bring disaster on you when your ancestors made Me angry, and I did not relent,” says the LORD of armies,

15 “so now I have decided again to do good to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.

16 These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound judgments in your courts;

17 do not plan evil against one another in your hearts, and do not love false oaths, because I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

Fasting Turned to Joy

18 Then the word of the LORD of armies came to me, saying,

19 “This is what the LORD of armies says: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

Many Nations Will Seek the LORD

20 This is what the LORD of armies says: “Peoples will yet come, inhabitants of many cities.

21 The residents of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to seek the LORD of armies. I am going too.’

22 Many peoples and powerful nations will come to seek the LORD of armies in Jerusalem and to ask for the LORD’s favor.”

23 This is what the LORD of armies says: “In those days ten men from every language and nation will grab hold of one Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”