Category: Zechariah

1-4 In the eighth month of the second year in the reign of Darius,God’s Message came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo: “Godwas very angry with your ancestors. So give to the people this Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies: ‘Come back to me and I’ll come back to you. Don’t be like your parents. The old-time prophets called out to them, “A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies: Leave your evil life. Quit your evil practices.” But they ignored everything I said to them, stubbornly refused to listen.’

5-6 “And where are your ancestors now? Dead and buried. And the prophets who preached to them? Also dead and buried. But the Message that my servants the prophets spoke, that isn’t dead and buried. That Message did its work on your ancestors, did it not? It woke them up and they came back, saying, ‘He did what he said he would do, sure enough. We didn’t get by with a thing.’”

First Vision: Four Riders

7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month in the second year of the reign of Darius, the Message ofGodwas given to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo:

8 One night I looked out and saw a man astride a red horse. He was in the shadows in a grove of birches. Behind him were more horses—a red, a chestnut, and a white.

9 I said, “Sir, what are these horses doing here? What’s the meaning of this?”

The Angel-Messenger said, “Let me show you.”

10 Then the rider in the birch grove spoke up, “These are the riders thatGodsent to check things out on earth.”

11 They reported their findings to the Angel ofGodin the birch grove: “We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything’s under control.”

12 The Angel ofGodreported back, “OGod-of-the-Angel-Armies, how long are you going to stay angry with Jerusalem and the cities of Judah? When are you going to let up? Isn’t seventy years long enough?”

13-15 Godreassured the Angel-Messenger—good words, comforting words—who then addressed me: “Tell them this. Tell them thatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies has spoken. This isGod’s Message: ‘I care deeply for Jerusalem and Zion. I feel very possessive of them. But I’m thoroughly angry with the godless nations that act as if they own the whole world. I was only moderately angry earlier, but now they’ve gone too far. I’m going into action.

16-17 “‘I’ve come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time.’

This isGodspeaking.

‘I’ll see to it that my Temple is rebuilt.’

A Decree ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies!

‘The rebuilding operation is already staked out.’

Say it again—a Decree ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

‘My cities will prosper again,

Godwill comfort Zion again,

Jerusalem will be back in my favor again.’”

Second Vision: Four Horns and Four Blacksmiths

18 I looked up, and was surprised by another vision: four horns!

19 I asked the Messenger-Angel, “And what’s the meaning of this?”

He said, “These are the powers that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem abroad.”

20 ThenGodexpanded the vision to include four blacksmiths.

21 I asked, “And what are these all about?”

He said, “Since the ‘horns’ scattered Judah so badly that no one had any hope left, these blacksmiths have arrived to combat the horns. They’ll dehorn the godless nations who used their horns to scatter Judah to the four winds.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/1-5bd5e62a9a88a5b79a2bc24ddaa563a0.mp3?version_id=97—

Third Vision: The Man with the Tape Measure

1-5 I looked up and was surprised to see

a man holding a tape measure in his hand.

I said, “What are you up to?”

“I’m on my way,” he said, “to survey Jerusalem,

to measure its width and length.”

Just then the Messenger-Angel on his way out

met another angel coming in and said,

“Run! Tell the Surveyor, ‘Jerusalem will burst its walls—

bursting with people, bursting with animals.

And I’ll be right there with her’—God’s Decree—‘a wall of fire

around unwalled Jerusalem and a radiant presence within.’”

6-7 “Up on your feet! Get out of there—and now!”Godsays so.

“Return from your far exile.

I scattered you to the four winds.”God’s Decree.

“Escape from Babylon, Zion, and come home—now!”

8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the One of Glory who sent me on my mission, commenting on the godless nations who stripped you and left you homeless, said, “Anyone who hits you, hits me—bloodies my nose, blackens my eye. Yes, and at the right time I’ll give the signal and they’ll be stripped and thrown out by their own servants.” Then you’ll know for sure thatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission.

10 “Shout and celebrate, Daughter of Zion!

I’m on my way. I’m moving into your neighborhood!”

God’s Decree.

11-12 Many godless nations will be linked up withGodat that time. (“They will become my family! I’ll live in their homes!”) And then you’ll know for sure thatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission.Godwill reclaim his Judah inheritance in the Holy Land. He’ll again make clear that Jerusalem is his choice.

13 Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence beforeGod. Something’s afoot in his holy house. He’s on the move!

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/2-5b74452caa68081d5a7cc9c46d8021bc.mp3?version_id=97—

Fourth Vision: Joshua’s New Clothes

1-2 Next the Messenger-Angel showed me the high priest Joshua. He was standing beforeGod’s Angel where the Accuser showed up to accuse him. ThenGodsaid to the Accuser, “I,God, rebuke you, Accuser! I rebuke you and choose Jerusalem. Surprise! Everything is going up in flames, but I reach in and pull out Jerusalem!”

3-4 Joshua, standing before the angel, was dressed in dirty clothes. The angel spoke to his attendants, “Get him out of those filthy clothes,” and then said to Joshua, “Look, I’ve stripped you of your sin and dressed you up in clean clothes.”

5 I spoke up and said, “How about a clean new turban for his head also?” And they did it—put a clean new turban on his head. Then they finished dressing him, withGod’s Angel looking on.

6-7 God’s Angel then charged Joshua, “Orders fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies: ‘If you live the way I tell you and remain obedient in my service, then you’ll make the decisions around here and oversee my affairs. And all my attendants standing here will be at your service.

8-9 “‘Careful, High Priest Joshua—both you and your friends sitting here with you, for your friends are in on this, too! Here’s what I’m doing next: I’m introducing my servant Branch. And note this: This stone that I’m placing before Joshua, a single stone with seven eyes’—Decree ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies—‘I’ll engrave with these words: “I’ll strip this land of its filthy sin, all at once, in a single day.”

10 “‘At that time, everyone will get along with one another, with friendly visits across the fence, friendly visits on one another’s porches.’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/3-1633355c3d8ca76c22468875adf0802a.mp3?version_id=97—

Fifth Vision: A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees

1 The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.

2-3 He said, “What do you see?”

I answered, “I see a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top. Seven lamps, each with seven spouts, are set on the bowl. And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl.”

4 Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, “What does this mean, sir?”

5-7 The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?”

“No, sir,” I said.

Then he said, “This isGod’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ saysGod-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’”

8-10 After that, the Word ofGodcame to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation thatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”

Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes ofGodprobing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”

11-12 “And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?” I asked. “What’s the meaning of them? And while you’re at it, the two branches of the olive trees that feed oil to the lamps—what do they mean?”

13 He said, “You haven’t figured that out?”

I said, “No, sir.”

14 He said, “These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/4-6173445361ced5fb62d33985350e5ac5.mp3?version_id=97—

Sixth Vision: The Flying Book

1 I looked up again and saw—surprise!—a book on the wing! A book flying!

2 The Messenger-Angel said to me, “What do you see now?”

I said, “I see a book flying, a huge book—thirty feet long and fifteen wide!”

3-4 He told me, “This book is the verdict going out worldwide against thieves and liars. The first half of the book disposes of everyone who steals; the second half takes care of everyone who lies. I launched it”—Decree ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies—“and so it will fly into the house of every thief and every liar. It will land in each house and tear it down, timbers and stones.”

Seventh Vision: A Woman in a Basket

5 The Messenger-Angel appeared and said, “Look up. Tell me what you see.”

6 I said, “What in the world is that?”

He said, “This is a bushel basket on a journey. It holds the sin of everyone, everywhere.”

7 Then the lid made of lead was removed from the basket—and there was a woman sitting in it!

8 He said, “This is Miss Wicked.” He pushed her back down into the basket and clamped the lead lid over her.

9 Then I looked up and to my surprise saw two women flying. On outstretched wings they airlifted the bushel basket into the sky.

10 I said to the Messenger-Angel, “Where are they taking the bushel basket?”

11 He said, “East to the land of Shinar. They will build a garage to house it. When it’s finished, the basket will be stored there.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/5-09b288ecee56ef873aa820c67c10a930.mp3?version_id=97—

Eighth Vision: Four Chariots

1 Once again I looked up—another strange sight! Four chariots charging out from between two mountains. The mountains were bronze.

2-3 The first chariot was drawn by red horses, the second chariot by black horses, the third chariot by white horses, and the fourth chariot by dappled horses. All the horses were powerful.

4 I asked the Messenger-Angel, “Sir, what’s the meaning here?”

5-7 The angel answered, “These are the four winds of heaven, which originate with the Master of the whole earth. The black horses are headed north with the white ones right after them. The dappled horses are headed south.” The powerful horses galloped out, bursting with energy, eager to patrol through the earth. The Messenger-Angel commanded: “On your way! Survey the earth!” and they were off in every direction.

8 Then he called to me and said, “Look at them go! The ones going north are conveying a sense of my Spirit, serene and secure. No more trouble from that direction.”

A Man Named Branch

9-12 Then this Message fromGodcame to me: “Take up a collection from the exiles. Target Heldai, Tobiah, and Jedaiah. They’ve just arrived from Babylon. You’ll find them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Collect silver and gold from them and fashion crowns. Place one on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and give him this message:

12-13 “‘A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies. Be alert. We have a man here whose name is Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple ofGod. Yes, he’s the one. He’ll build the Temple ofGod. Then he’ll assume the role of royalty, take his place on the throne and rule—a priest sitting on the throne!—showing that king and priest can coexist in harmony.’

14 “The other crown will be in the Temple ofGodas a symbol of royalty, under the custodial care of Helem, Tobiah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah.

15 “People will come from faraway places to pitch in and rebuild the Temple ofGod. This will confirm thatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies did, in fact, send me to you. All this follows as you put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of yourGod.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/6-9c7269fb50726a2197ac12f4fe1a5f01.mp3?version_id=97—

“You’re Interested in Religion, I’m Interested in People”

1 On the fourth day of the ninth month, in the fourth year of the reign of King Darius,God’s Message again came to Zechariah.

2-3 The town of Bethel had sent a delegation headed by Sarezer and Regem-Melech to pray forGod’s blessing and to confer with the priests of the Temple ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies, and also with the prophets. They posed this question: “Should we plan for a day of mourning and abstinence next August, the seventieth anniversary of Jerusalem’s fall, as we have been doing all these years?”

4-6 God-of-the-Angel-Armies gave me this Message for them, for all the people and for the priests: “When you held days of fasting every fifth and seventh month all these seventy years, were you doing it for me? And when you held feasts, was that for me? Hardly. You’re interested in religion, I’m interested in people.

7-10 “There’s nothing new to say on the subject. Don’t you still have the message of the earlier prophets from the time when Jerusalem was still a thriving, bustling city and the outlying countryside, the Negev and Shephelah, was populated? [This is the message thatGodgave Zechariah.] Well, the message hasn’t changed.God-of-the-Angel-Armies said then and says now:

“‘Treat one another justly.

Love your neighbors.

Be compassionate with each other.

Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor.

Don’t plot and scheme against one another—that’s evil.’

11-13 “But did your ancestors listen? No, they set their jaws in defiance. They shut their ears. They steeled themselves againstGod’s revelation and the Spirit-filled sermons preached by the earlier prophets by order ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies. AndGodbecame angry, really angry, because he told them everything plainly and they wouldn’t listen to a word he said.

13-14 “So [this is whatGod-of-the-Angel-Armies said] if they won’t listen to me, I won’t listen to them. I scattered them to the four winds. They ended up strangers wherever they were. Their ‘promised land’ became a vacant lot—weeds and tin cans and thistles. Not a sign of life. They turned a dreamland into a wasteland.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/7-146ee021683eab2a836b878cdae772e6.mp3?version_id=97—

Rebuilding the Temple

1-2 And then these Messages fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I am zealous for Zion—Icare!

I’m angry about Zion—I’minvolved!”

God’s Message:

3 “I’ve come back to Zion,

I’ve moved back to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem’s new names will be Truth City,

and Mountain ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies,

and Mount Holiness.”

4-5 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in.”

6 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say.”

7-8 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I’ll collect my people from countries to the east and countries to the west. I’ll bring them back and move them into Jerusalem. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God. I’ll stick with them and do right by them.”

9-10 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Get a grip on things. Hold tight, you who are listening to what I say through the preaching of the prophets. The Temple ofGod-of-the-Angel-Armies has been reestablished. The Temple is being rebuilt. We’ve come through a hard time: You worked for a pittance and were lucky to get that; the streets were dangerous; you could never let down your guard; I had turned the world into an armed camp.

11-12 “But things have changed. I’m taking the side of my core of surviving people:

Sowing and harvesting will resume,

Vines will grow grapes,

Gardens will flourish,

Dew and rain will make everything green.

12-13 “My core survivors will get everything they need—and more. You’ve gotten a reputation as a bad-news people, you people of Judah and Israel, but I’m coming to save you. From now on, you’re the good-news people. Don’t be afraid. Keep a firm grip on what I’m doing.”

Keep Your Lives Simple and Honest

14-17 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“In the same way that I decided to punish you when your ancestors made me angry, and didn’t pull my punches, at this time I’ve decided to bless Jerusalem and the country of Judah. Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Decree ofGod.

18-19 Again I received a Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“The days of mourning set for the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will be turned into days of feasting for Judah—celebration and holiday. Embrace truth! Love peace!”

20-21 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“People and their leaders will come from all over to see what’s going on. The leaders will confer with one another: ‘Shouldn’t we try to get in on this? Get in onGod’s blessings? Pray toGod-of-the-Angel-Armies? What’s keeping us? Let’s go!’

22 “Lots of people, powerful nations—they’ll come to Jerusalem looking for what they can get fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies, looking to get a blessing fromGod.”

23 A Message fromGod-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“At that time, ten men speaking a variety of languages will grab the sleeve of one Jew, hold tight, and say, ‘Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/8-71e9c34e772c6c155df267c8494f7089.mp3?version_id=97—

The Whole World Has Its Eyes on God

1-6 War Bulletin:

God’s Message challenges the country of Hadrach.

It will settle on Damascus.

The whole world has its eyes onGod.

Israel isn’t the only one.

That includes Hamath at the border,

and Tyre and Sidon, clever as they think they are.

Tyre has put together quite a kingdom for herself;

she has stacked up silver like cordwood,

piled gold high as haystacks.

But God will certainly bankrupt her;

he will dump all that wealth into the ocean

and burn up what’s left in a big fire.

Ashkelon will see it and panic,

Gaza will wring its hands,

Ekron will face a dead end.

Gaza’s king will die.

Ashkelon will be emptied out,

And a villain will take over in Ashdod.

6-8 “I’ll take proud Philistia down a peg:

I’ll make him spit out his bloody booty

and abandon his vile ways.”

What’s left will be all God’s—a core of survivors,

a family brought together in Judah—

But enemies like Ekron will go the way of the Jebusites,

into the dustbin of history.

“I will set up camp in my home country

and defend it against invaders.

Nobody is going to hurt my people ever again.

I’m keeping my eye on them.

A Humble King Riding a Donkey

9-10 “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!

Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!

Your king is coming!

a good king who makes all things right,

a humble king riding a donkey,

a mere colt of a donkey.

I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim,

no more war horses in Jerusalem,

no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.

He will offer peace to the nations,

a peaceful rule worldwide,

from the four winds to the seven seas.

11-13 “And you, because of my blood covenant with you,

I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells.

Come home, hope-filled prisoners!

This very day I’m declaring a double bonus—

everything you lost returned twice-over!

Judah is now my weapon, the bow I’ll pull,

setting Ephraim as an arrow to the string.

I’ll wake up your sons, O Zion,

to counter your sons, O Greece.

From now on

people are my swords.”

14-17 ThenGodwill come into view,

his arrows flashing like lightning!

MasterGodwill blast his trumpet

and set out in a whirlwind.

God-of-the-Angel-Armies will protect them—

all-out war,

The war to end all wars,

no holds barred.

TheirGodwill save the day. He’ll rescue them.

They’ll become like sheep, gentle and soft,

Or like gemstones in a crown,

catching all the colors of the sun.

Then how they’ll shine! shimmer! glow!

the young men robust, the young women lovely!

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/9-3973a17ccba1101823ef98809131549b.mp3?version_id=97—

God’s Work of Rebuilding

1 Pray toGodfor rain—it’s time for the spring rain—

toGod, the rainmaker,

Spring thunderstorm maker,

maker of grain and barley.

2-3 “Store-bought gods babble gibberish.

Religious experts spout rubbish.

They pontificate hot air.

Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke.

And so the people wander like lost sheep,

poor lost sheep without a shepherd.

I’m furious with the so-called shepherds.

They’re worse than billy goats, and I’ll treat them like goats.”

3-5 God-of-the-Angel-Armies will step in

and take care of his flock, the people of Judah.

He’ll revive their spirits,

make them proud to be on God’s side.

God will use them in his work of rebuilding,

use them as foundations and pillars,

Use them as tools and instruments,

use them to oversee his work.

They’ll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one,

their heads held high, striding through swamps and mud,

Courageous and vigorous becauseGodis with them,

undeterred by the world’s thugs.

6-12 “I’ll put muscle in the people of Judah;

I’ll save the people of Joseph.

I know their pain and will make them good as new.

They’ll get a fresh start, as if nothing had ever happened.

And why? Because I am their very ownGod,

I’ll do what needs to be done for them.

The people of Ephraim will be famous,

their lives brimming with joy.

Their children will get in on it, too—

oh, let them feel blessed byGod!

I’ll whistle and they’ll all come running.

I’ve set them free—oh, how they’ll flourish!

Even though I scattered them to the far corners of earth,

they’ll remember me in the faraway places.

They’ll keep the story alive in their children,

and they will come back.

I’ll bring them back from the Egyptian west

and round them up from the Assyrian east.

I’ll bring them back to sweet Gilead,

back to leafy Lebanon.

Every square foot of land

will be marked by homecoming.

They’ll sail through troubled seas, brush aside brash ocean waves.

Roaring rivers will turn to a trickle.

Gaudy Assyria will be stripped bare,

bully Egypt exposed as a fraud.

But my people—oh, I’ll make them strong,God-strong!

and they’ll live my way.”Godsays so!

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ZEC/10-b5547d1c07ae13f5efd444e9baf0bc48.mp3?version_id=97—