1 And the word of the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies} came, saying {lemor: to declare},
2 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: “With great jealousy {kinah: fervent zeal} I have been jealous for Zion, and with great wrath I have been jealous for her.”
3 Thus says the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Restorer}: “I have come back to Zion, and I will make My dwelling in the center of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the city of truth {emet: faithfulness}, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.”
4 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: aged men and women will once again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of their many days {yamim: years of life}.
5 The streets {rechovot: broad open spaces} of the city will be crowded with boys and girls playing {mesachakim: lively joyful play} there.
6 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Divine Commander}: “If it appears marvelous in the eyes of the remnant {sheerit: faithful remainder} of this people in those days, should it be marvelous in My eyes as well?” declares the LORD of hosts.
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: “Look, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the sunset {mevo: sunset region}.”
8 And I will bring them, and they will reside at the center of Jerusalem. They will be My people, and I Myself will be their God {Elohim, Faithful Redeemer} in truth {emet: firm reliability} and in righteousness.
9 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Sovereign Commander}: Let your hands {yedeikhem: steadfast resolve} be resolute, you who are listening to these words in these days from the prophets who were present when the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, so that the temple might be built.
10 For before those days there was no wage for man, nor any wage for the beast; nor was there any safety for anyone going out or coming in because of the adversary {tsar: oppressive force}, for I {YHWH, Executor of Judgment} set every man against his neighbor.
11 But now I will not act toward the remnant of this people as in the former days {yamim harishonim: earlier times}, declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Divine Commander}.
12 For the seed of peace {shalom: wholeness and flourishing} will prosper: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will give its produce, and the heavens will give their dew; and I {YHWH, Faithful Restorer} will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
13 And it will happen that just as you were a curse {qelalah: public disgrace} among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I {YHWH, Covenant Restorer} will save you, and you will become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.
14 For thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}, just as I purposed to bring disaster {hara: divine calamity} upon you when your fathers provoked Me, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts.
15 So again I have purposed {zamamti: renewed intent} in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah {yehudah: Davidic community}; do not be afraid.
16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak truth each man to his neighbor; judge {shiftu: exercise judgment} with truth and peace in your gates {sha'areikhem: community gathering places}.
17 Let none of you scheme harm against a neighbor in your hearts, nor embrace a deceptive vow {shevu'at: solemn pledge}; for all these I detest, declares the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}.
18 Then the utterance {devar: prophetic utterance} of the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies} came to me, declaring,
19 Thus declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH tzevaot, Commander of Armies}: The fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months shall become seasons of joy and gladness for the house of Judah, and good appointed times {moadim: festal seasons}. Therefore love truth and peace.
20 Thus says the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: peoples and inhabitants of many cities {arim: urban centers} will yet arrive.
21 And the inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, "Let us go at once{halokh: persistent pursuit} to seek the favor of the LORD{YHWH, Covenant Restorer} and to seek the LORD of hosts. I also will go."
22 And many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies} in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face {penei: presence} of the LORD.
23 Thus declares the LORD of hosts {YHWH Tsevaot, Commander of Armies}: At that time ten individuals from every language among the nations will grasp the fringe of a Judean’s garment {knaf: border of the robe} and say, “Let us accompany you, for we have heard that God {Elohim, Sustaining Presence} is with you.”