1. The Lord of Armies spoke his word.
2. This is what the Lord of Armies says:I am very jealous about Zion.I am fiercely possessive of it.
3. This is what the Lord says:I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem.Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth.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 will have a cane in hand because of old age.
5. The city will be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets.
6. This is what the Lord of Armies says:It may seem impossible to the few remaining people in those days,but will it seem impossible to me? declares the Lord of Armies.
7. This is what the Lord of Armies says:I am going to save my peoplefrom the land where the sun risesand from the land where the sun sets.
8. I will bring them back, and they will live in Jerusalem.They will be my people, and I will be their God, who is faithful and just.
9. This is what the Lord of Armies says:Be strong so that the temple might be rebuilt,you people who are presently listeningto the words from the mouths of the prophetswho spoke when the foundationfor the house of the Lord of Armies was laid.
10. Before that time there was no money to hire any person or animal.No one who traveled was safe from the enemy.I turned every person against his neighbor.
11. But now I won’t deal with the few remaining peopleas I did in earlier times, declares the Lord of Armies.
12. Seeds will thrive in peacetime.Vines will produce their grapes.The land will yield its crops.The sky will produce its dew.I will give the few remaining peopleall these things as an inheritance.
13. Just as you, people of Judah and people of Israel,have been a curse among the nations,so I will now save you,and you will become a blessing.Don’t be afraid. Let your hands work hard.
14. This is what the Lord of Armies says:When your ancestors made me angry,I made plans to destroy you, declares the Lord of Armies,and I didn’t change my plans.
15. So now I have again made plans, but this time to do goodto Jerusalem and the people of Judah.Don’t be afraid.
16. You must do these things:Speak the truth to each other.Give correct and fair verdicts for peace in your courts.
17. Don’t even think of doing evil to each other.Don’t enjoy false testimony.I hate all these things, declares the Lord.
18. The Lord of Armies spoke his word to me again.
19. This is what the Lord of Armies says:The fast in the fourth month, the fast in the fifth month,the fast in the seventh month, and the fast in the tenth monthwill become joyful and glad occasionsas well as happy festivals for the nation of Judah.So love truth and peace.
20. This is what the Lord of Armies says:People and citizens from many cities are going to come.
21. The citizens of one city will come to another city, saying,“Let’s make a habit of going to ask the Lord for a blessingand to seek the Lord of Armies.I’m also going.”
22. Many people and powerful nations will cometo seek the Lord of Armies in Jerusalemand to ask the Lord for a blessing.
23. This is what the Lord of Armies says:In those days ten people from every language found among the nationswill take hold of the clothes of a Jew. They will say,“Let us go with youbecause we have heard that God is with you.”