Zechariah

Ten Promises

The word of the Lord, was directed to me in this way:

Thus says the God of hosts: “I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred by burning anger for her sake.”

Thus the God of hosts: “I will return to Zion and live in her midst. Jerusalem shall be called the city of faithfulness and the mountain of holiness.”

Thus says the God of hosts: “Old men and women will once again sit in the squares, each with a stick in hand because of their age.

The city squares will be filled with girls and boys playing.”

Thus says the God of hosts: “If that seems impossible in the eyes of those who have returned from exile, will it be impossible for me as well?

Thus says the God of hosts: “See, I am going to save my people,

bringing them from the east and from the west; and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people and I shall be their God, in truth and justice.”

Thus says the God of hosts: “In these days, you have just heard the words of the prophets, because, on this day, the foundation stone is laid for the reconstruction of the temple. Now, do not be discouraged.

Before that time, there was no compensation for man or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody —each one— against everyone else.

But from now on I will deal differently with these people.”

The Lord says: “I am sowing peace. The vine will produce its fruit, the earth its crops, the heavens their dew; and to the remnant of this people, I will provide all these things.

So it will happen that, just as you were a curse among the nations, now I will save you, Judah and Israel, and make you a blessing. Have no fear and let your hands be strong!”

Thus says the God of hosts: “Just as I resolved to do you harm because your fathers angered me and I did not relent,

so now, in these days, I am determined to deal kindly with Jerusalem and Judah. Have no fear!

This is what you must do: “Speak the truth to each other; let those who judge bring peace, through honest sentences

and do not plot evil in your heart against one another. Refrain from false oaths, for it is what I detest” —word of the Lord.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Thus says the God of hosts: “From now on, the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will be days of joy, happy feast days. Only be peacemakers and sincere people.”

Thus says the God of hosts: “Peoples will come from other nations, from great cities.

The inhabitants of one town will talk with those of another and say: ‘Come, let us go and seek the favor of the Lord, and I, too, will seek the Lord.’

Many great people and powerful nations will come, seeking the Lord, the God of hosts, in Jerusalem, and will pray to him.”

Thus says the God of hosts: “In those days, ten men from different languages spoken in various lands will take hold of a Jew by the hem of his garment and say: We, too, want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”