1 Then I turned back and lifted my eyes and saw—look—four chariots {markavot: armed vehicles} coming out from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze {nechoshet: copper alloy}.
2 In the first chariot {merkavah: war vehicle} were red horses, and in the second chariot were black horses {shechorim: dark-colored}.
3 And in the third chariot were white horses, and in the fourth chariot were horses that were dappled {berudim: spotted-patterned} and strong {amutzim: impressive strength}.
4 So I spoke and asked the angel {malakh: Divine Messenger} who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord {adoni: Respectful Address}?”
5 The angel answered me and said, “These are the four winds {rukhoth: heavenly winds} of the heavens, going out from their standing before the Lord {Adon, Sovereign Ruler} of all the earth.”
6 The black horses go out toward the north {tsafon: enemy territory}, the white horses follow them, and the dappled horses go out toward the south {teiman: border region}.
7 And the strong ones {amutzim: courageous warriors} went out, and they sought to go to and fro {lalekhet: back-and-forth motion} throughout the land; and he said, “Go, walk about through the land.” So they walked about in the land.
8 And he cried out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those going out to the land of the north have caused my{YHWH, Sovereign Speaker} spirit to rest{heinichu: perfect causative} in the land of the north.”
9 Then the word of the LORD {YHWH, Prophetic Speaker} came to me, saying {lemor: opening direct speech}.
10 Take from the exiles {haggolah: those deported}—from Heldai, from Tobiyah, and from Yeda’yah {yedayah: Yah Knows}—who have come from Babylon; then go that same day and enter the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
11 Then take silver and gold and make crowns {atarot: ceremonial ornaments}, and set them on the head {berosh: position of authority} of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 And you shall say to him, “Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: Behold, a man whose name is Branch {tsemach: Messianic title}, and from beneath him he will sprout and build the temple of the LORD.”
13 And he will build the temple of the LORD {YHWH, Sanctuary Restorer}, and he will bear majesty {hod: royal splendor}, and he will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two of them.
14 The crowns shall be for Helem, Tobiyah, Yeda’yah, and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial {zikkaron: lasting remembrance} in the temple of the LORD {YHWH, Memorial Keeper}.
15 And those who are far away will come and build {banu: establish permanence} in the temple of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Owner}; then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this will happen if you listen attentively to the voice of the LORD your God.