8. I will guard my Templeand protect it from invading armies.I am watching closely to ensurethat no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land.
9. Rejoice, O people of Zion!Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!Look, your king is coming to you.He is righteous and victorious,yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.
10. I will remove the battle chariots from Israeland the warhorses from Jerusalem.I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,and your king will bring peace to the nations.His realm will stretch from sea to seaand from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
11. Because of the covenant I made with you,sealed with blood,I will free your prisonersfrom death in a waterless dungeon.
12. Come back to the place of safety,all you prisoners who still have hope!I promise this very daythat I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.
13. Judah is my bow,and Israel is my arrow.Jerusalem is my sword,and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks.
14. The lord will appear above his people;his arrows will fly like lightning!The Sovereign lord will sound the ram’s hornand attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.