1. In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.
2. Now the town of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech and their men to seek the favor of the Lord,
3. speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, "Shall I weep in the fifth month and abstain, as I have done these many years?"
4. Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying,