1. The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
2. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy 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 Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.’
4. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.
5. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.’
6. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘It may seem marvellous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvellous to me?’ declares the Lord Almighty.
7. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.
8. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.’
9. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Now hear these words, “Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.” This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty.
10. Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbour.