Zechariah 8
1The word of GOD of Hosts came [to me]:
2Thus said GOD of Hosts: I am very jealous for Zion, I am fiercely jealous for her.
3Thus said GOD: I have returned to Zion, and I will dwell in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Faithfulness, and the mount of GOD of Hosts the Holy Mount.
4Thus said GOD of Hosts: There shall yet be elderly men and women in the squares of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age.
5And the squares of the city shall be crowded with boys and girls playing in the squares.
6Thus said GOD of Hosts: Though it will seem impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, shall it also be impossible to Me?—declares GOD of Hosts.
7Thus said GOD of Hosts: I will rescue My people from the lands of the east and from the lands of the west,
8and I will bring them home to dwell in Jerusalem. They shall be My people, and I will be their God—in truth and sincerity.
9Thus said GOD of Hosts: Take courage, you who now hear these words that the prophets spoke when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the House of GOD of Hosts.
10For before that time, the earnings from labor were nil, and profits from livestock were nothing. It was not safe to go about one’s business on account of enemies; and I set every person against someone else.
11But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as before—declares GOD of Hosts—
12but what it sows shall prosper: The vine shall produce its fruit, the ground shall produce its yield, and the skies shall provide their moisture. I will bestow all these things upon the remnant of this people.
13And just as you were a curse among the nations, O House of Judah and House of Israel, so, when I vindicate you, you shall become a blessing. Have no fear; take courage!
14For thus said GOD of Hosts: Just as I planned to afflict you and did not relent when your ancestors provoked Me to anger—said GOD of Hosts—
15so, at this time, I have turned and planned to do good to Jerusalem and to the House of Judah. Have no fear!
16These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates.
17And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those are things that I hate—declares GOD.
18And the word of GOD of Hosts came to me, saying,
19Thus said GOD of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month shall become occasions for joy and gladness, happy festivals for the House of Judah; but you must love honesty and integrity.
20Thus said GOD of Hosts: Peoples and the inhabitants of many cities shall yet come—
21the inhabitants of one shall go to the other and say, “Let us go and entreat the favor of GOD, let us seek GOD of Hosts; I will go, too.”
22The many peoples and the multitude of nations shall come to seek GOD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of GOD.
23Thus said GOD of Hosts: In those days, ten people from nations of every tongue will take hold—they will take hold of every Jew by a corner of their cloak and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”