Zechariah 9

Judgment on Israel’s Enemies

1 The burden of the word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach and Damascus is its resting place, because the eyes of mankind, especially all the tribes of Israel, are on the LORD.

2 Hamath also borders on it, and Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.

3 Tyre built herself a fortress and piled up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets.

4 But look, the Lord will dispossess her and throw her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see it and be afraid, Gaza will writhe in great pain, and Ekron too, because her hope will wither. The king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

6 A mixed people will live in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

7 I will remove the blood from their mouths and the detestable things from between their teeth. Then they too will belong to our God and become like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

8 I will camp around My house as a guard against those who march back and forth. No oppressor will overrun them again, because now I am watching with My own eyes.

The Coming King of Zion

9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion. Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.

12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have hope. Today I declare that I will restore double to you.

13 For I have bent Judah like My bow; I have fitted it with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.

The LORD Will Appear

14 Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will flash like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the trumpet and march in the storms of the south.

15 The LORD of armies will shield them. They will devour and trample the sling stones. They will drink and shout as if drunk on wine. They will be filled like a bowl used for sprinkling, like the corners of the altar.

16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people, because they are like jewels in a crown, sparkling over His land.

17 How great is His goodness and how great His beauty. Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.