Bible in 90 Days
Burden for Justice in Judah
1 The oracle[a] that Habakkuk the prophet saw.
2 How long, Adonai, have I cried for help,
yet You do not hear?
I cry out to You—‘Violence!’
yet You do not deliver.
3 Why do You show me wickedness,
and why must I behold mischief?
Yes, devastation and violence are before me.
There is strife, and contention arises.
4 Therefore, Torah has no effect,
and justice never goes forth.
For the wicked encircle the righteous
Therefore justice comes out perverted.
Adonai’s Answer: Chaldeans
5 “Look among the nations! Observe!
Astonish yourself! Be astounded!
For a work is being done in your days.
You will not believe it if it were told.[b]
6 For I am about to raise up the Chaldeans,
that bitter, impetuous nation,
marching all over the land,
to seize dwellings not its own.
7 Dreadful and terrifying,
Its justice and dignity derive from itself.
8 Its horses are swifter than leopards,
fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Its horsemen come galloping.
Its horsemen are coming from afar.
They fly like a vulture,[c] swooping down to eat.
9 All of them come for violence—
an assembling of faces to the east.
He gathers captives like sand.
10 He scoffs at kings,
and rulers are a joke to him.
He laughs at every stronghold—
he heaps up dirt and takes it.
11 Then a wind sweeps through and passes on.
He is guilty—This, his strength, is his god.”
Appeal for Justice on Chaldea
12 Are not You from antiquity—
Adonai my God, my Holy One?
We will not die.
Adonai, You have ordained him for judgment—
as You, O Rock, have established him to chasten.
13 With eyes too pure to see evil
You cannot look at such trouble!
Why do You look at the treacherous?
Why do You remain silent when a wicked one
swallows up those more righteous than him?
14 You made man like the fish of the sea,
like a creeping thing—with no one ruling over him.
15 He brings up all with hook in jaw,
drags away in his dragnet,
or gathers with his fishing-net.
Therefore he rejoices with glee.
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet,
and offers incense to his fishing-net.
For through them his portion is rich
and his food abundant.
17 Will he empty his net for this reason
—continually slaying nations—with no compassion?
2 I will take my stand at my post,
and station myself on the rampart,
and I will watch to see what He will say to me,
and what I will answer regarding my argument.
Vision for an Appointed Time
2 Then Adonai answered me and said:
“Write down the vision,[d]
make it plain on the tablets,
so that the reader may run with it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time.
It hastens to the end
and will not fail.
If it should be slow in coming, wait for it,
For it will surely come—it will not delay.”[e]
Trust, Judgment and Glory
4 Behold, the puffed up one—
his soul is not right within him,
But the righteous will live by his trust.[f]
5 Indeed, because this wine betrays,
a proud man never rests.
He enlarges his desire like Sheol,
Like death, he is never satisfied.
So he gathers to himself all nations,
and collects all peoples for himself.
6 Will not all take up a proverb against him or a scornful riddle about him?
“Oy to one expanding what isn’t his!
How long?
Oy to one burdening himself with heavy debts!”
7 Will biting you arise suddenly,
and those shaking you awaken,
as you will become plunder for them?
8 Since you looted many nations,
all the survivors will plunder you—
because of human bloodshed
and violence done to the land, the city and all its inhabitants.
9 Oy to one surely getting unjust gain for his house—
to set his nest on high,
to escape the reach of calamity!
10 You schemed shame for your house,
by cutting off many peoples,
so going wrong yourself.
11 For a stone will cry out[g] from a wall,
and wooden beams will answer.
12 Oy to him who builds a city by bloodshed,
and establishes a town with injustice!
13 Behold, is it not from Adonai-Tzva’ot
that peoples toil to fuel a fire,
and nations exhaust themselves for emptiness?
14 For the earth will be filled with knowing the glory of Adonai,
as the waters cover the sea.
15 Oy to one who makes his neighbor drink,
who pours out Your fury, and even making him drunk
In order to gaze at his nakedness!
16 You are filled with disgrace rather than glory.
Drink—you too—and be uncircumcised.
The cup of Adonai’s right hand will surround you,
and disgrace will come upon your glory.
17 For the violence done to Lebanon will spread over you,
destruction of beasts terrifying them,
because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,
the city and to all its inhabitants.
18 What use is an idol when its craftsman has carved it?
Or a metal image—a teacher of lies?
For a craftsman has trusted in the image that he created,
to make dumb idols.
19 Oy to one who says to wood: “Awake!”
To a dumb stone: “Rouse yourself!” Can it teach?
Look, it is plated with gold and silver,
but it has no spirit within it.
20 But Adonai is in His holy Temple.
Let all the land be silent before Him.
Habakkuk’s Confidence in Adonai
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, as a passionate song.
2 Adonai, I have heard the report about You
and I have come to fear.
Adonai, revive Your work throughout the years,
throughout the years make it known,
In wrath remember compassion.
3 God comes from Teman,
and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His majesty covers the heavens,
and His praise fills the earth.
4 With brilliance like light,
rays emanate from His hand.
There His power was hidden.
5 Pestilence goes before Him,
a fiery bolt goes forth at His feet.
6 He stood, and the earth shook.
He looked, and startled nations.
Ancient mountains were shattered,
hills of antiquity sank down.
His ways are everlasting.
7 I saw tents of Cushan under calamity.
The curtains of the land of Midian are trembling.
8 Adonai, is your wrath against rivers?
Or Your anger at the rivers?
Or is Your fury with the sea?
For You ride on Your horses,
Your chariots of salvation!
9 Your bow is laid bare.
Sworn are rods—a decree. Selah
You cleave the land with rivers.
10 The mountains saw You and writhe.
A downpour of water overflows.
The deep gives its voice—
it lifts up hands high.
11 Sun and moon, stand in lofty abode.
At the flash of Your arrows they go,
at the radiance of the lightning of Your spear.
12 With indignation You pace the land.
With anger You thresh nations.
13 You went out for the salvation of Your people—
for the deliverance of Your anointed one.[h]
You shatter the head of the house of the wicked—
to lay it bare from foundation up to the top. Selah
14 You have pierced his chief rulers with his own staff—
They stormed in to scatter me.
Their exultation is like devouring the weak in secret.
15 You marched forth,
Your horses in the sea—much water foaming.
16 I heard, and my belly trembled.
My lips quivered at the sound.
Decay comes into my bones.
I tremble where I stand,
since I must wait quietly for a day of distress
to come up against the people who will invade us.
17 Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and there is no yield on the vines,
Though the olive crop fail,
and the fields produce no food,
the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no cattle in the stalls.
18 Yet will I triumph in Adonai,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation![i]
19 Adonai my Lord, is my strength.
He has made my feet like a deer’s,
and will make me walk on my high places.
For the choir director: On my stringed instruments.
Hand of Judgment Upon Idolaters
1 The word of Adonai that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah:
2 I will totally sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,
declares Adonai.
3 I will sweep away man and beast,
I will sweep away the birds of the sky
and the fish of the sea—
also the stumbling blocks—the wicked.
I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,
declares Adonai.[j]
4 “I will stretch out my hand upon Judah
and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place
—the names of the idolatrous priests along with the kohanim,
5 those bowing down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens.
those bowing down, swearing to Adonai
and also swearing by Molech
6 those turning from following Adonai,
not seeking Adonai or consulting Him.
The Day Is At Hand
7 Be silent before Adonai God.
For the day of Adonai is at hand![k]
Adonai has prepared a sacrifice,
He has consecrated his guests.
8 On the day of Adonai’s sacrifice,
I will punish the princes,
the king’s sons
and all who dress in foreign attire.
9 In that day I will punish
all who skip over the threshold
while filling their master’s House
with violence and deceit.
10 In that day—declares Adonai—
there will be the sound of screaming from the Fish Gate,
wailing from the second district
and a loud crash from the heights.
11 Howl, inhabitants of Maktesh![l]
For all the people of Canaan[m] are destroyed.
All who weigh out silver are cut off.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish the men whose spirits have hardened,
who say in their hearts,
‘Adonai will do neither good nor evil.’
13 Their wealth will become plunder,
their houses a ruin.
They will build houses
but not live in them.
They will plant vineyards
but not drink their wine.
14 The great day of Adonai is near—
near and coming very quickly!
The sound of the day of Adonai is bitter—
the shouting of the warrior is there.
15 That day is a day of wrath
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of devastating storm and desolation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of shofar and alarm
against the fortified cities
and against the high corner towers.
17 I will bring such distress upon mankind
that they will walk like the blind—
for they have sinned against Adonai.
Their blood will be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to rescue them
on the day of Adonai’s wrath.
With the fire of His passion
the entire earth will be consumed.
For He will make a total,
dreadful annihilation of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Judgment of Nearby Nations
2 Gather together! Gather together,
O shameless nation—
2 before the decree is brought forth,
before the day passes away like chaff,
before Adonai’s burning anger comes upon you,
before the day of Adonai’s anger comes upon you!
3 Seek Adonai, all you humble of the land
who have executed His judgment.
Seek righteousness; seek meekness![n]
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of Adonai’s wrath.
4 For Gaza will be abandoned
and Ashkelon will be a wasteland.
Ashdod will be driven out at noon
and Ekron will be uprooted.
5 Oy to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
the nation of Cherethites!
The word of Adonai is against you,
Canaan, the land of the Philistines,
and I will destroy you
until there is no inhabitant.
6 The seacoast will become pastures,
with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.
7 The coast will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah,
upon which they will graze.
In the houses of Ashkelon
they will lie down in the evening.
For Adonai their God will visit them
and return them from captivity.
8 I have heard the taunts of Moab
and the jeers of the children of Ammon,
who taunted My people
and expanded on their border.
9 Therefore, as I live,
declares Adonai-Tzva’ot God of Israel,
Moab will be like Sodom
and Ammon like Gomorrah—
a possession of weeds and a salt pit,
a perpetual wasteland.
The remainder of My people will plunder them.
The remnant of My nation will dispossess them.
10 This is what they will get for their pride,
for they have taunted and expanded
against the people of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
11 Adonai will be fearsome against them.
For all the gods of the earth
He will make waste away.
To Him will bow, each from its place,
the islands of the nations.
12 You Ethiopians too
will be slain by My sword.
13 He will stretch out his hand against the north
and devastate Assyria
and make Nineveh as a wasteland—
dry as a desert.
14 Flocks will lie down in her midst,
all kinds of beasts—
both the little owl and the great owl
will lodge in her pillars.
A voice will hoot in the window.
Ruin will be in the doorway,
for the cedar beams will be exposed.
15 This is the exultant city,
dwelling securely,
saying in her heart,
‘It’s me—no one else but me!’
How did she become a ruin,
an abode for wild beasts?
Everyone who passes by her
hisses and shakes his fist.
Downfall of Disobedient Jerusalem
3 Oy to the oppressive city—
filthy and defiled!
2 She did not obey;
she took no correction.
She did not trust in Adonai.
She did not draw near to her God.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions.
Her judges are wolves of the night,
leaving nothing but bones for morning.
4 Her prophets are reckless,
treacherous men.
Her kohanim have profaned what is holy.
They do violence to Torah.
5 Adonai is righteous in her midst.
He will do no injustice.
Morning by morning He brings His justice to light.
He does not fail.
Yet the unjust knows no shame.
6 I have cut off nations.
Their towers have become desolate.
I have destroyed their streets.
with no one passing by.
Their cities are laid waste,
with no one—none living there.
7 I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me,
you will accept correction,
so her dwelling place would not be cut off—
all that I appointed against her.’
But they arose early
and made all their deeds corrupt.
8 Therefore, wait for me, declares Adonai,
for the day when I rise up for plunder:
for My decision is to assemble nations,
to gather kingdoms,[o]
to pour out My fury upon them—
all My burning anger.
For in the fire of My wrath
all the earth will be consumed.
The Future Restoration of Israel’s Remnant
9 For then I will restore to the people pure speech,
so that all of them
may call upon the Name of Adonai
and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
My worshipers, the daughter of My scattered ones
will bring My offering.
11 On that day you will not be ashamed
because of all your deeds by which you rebelled against Me.
For then I will remove from your midst
your proud, arrogant ones,
and you will never again be haughty
on My holy mountain.
12 But I will leave among you
a people meek and humble.
They will take refuge in the Name of Adonai.
13 The remnant of Israel will do no injustice
nor will they tell lies,
nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.[p]
For they will graze and lie down
and no one will make them afraid.
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult wholeheartedly,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 Adonai has taken away your punishments.
He has turned back your adversary.
The King of Israel, Adonai, is in your midst.
Never again will you fear harm.
16 On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem,
‘Have no fear, O Zion,
do not let your hands fall limp.
17 Adonai your God is in your midst—
a mighty Savior!
He will delight over you with joy.
He will quiet you with His love.
He will dance for joy over you with singing[q].’
18 “I will gather those among you
who grieve over your moadim—
it is a burden of shame on you.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal
with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame and gather the outcast.
I will make them a praise and a name
throughout all the land where they suffered shame.
20 At that time I will bring you in.
At that time I will gather you.
For I will give you renown and glory
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your captives
before your eyes,”
declares Adonai.
A Call to Build the House of Adonai
1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah[r], and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol[s]: 2 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘This people say the time has not come—the time for the House of Adonai to be rebuilt.’”
3 Then the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this House lies in ruins? 5 But now,” thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot:
“Set your heart on your ways!
6 You sowed much but bring in little.
You eat but are never satisfied.
You drink but not enough to get filled.
You put on clothes but no one is warm.
And whoever earns wages works for a bag full of holes.”
7 Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: “Set your heart on your ways! 8 Go up to the hills, bring wood and build the House. Then I will delight in it and I will be glorified,” says Adonai. 9 “You have looked for much, but indeed, there is little. What you have brought home, I have blown away. Why is this?”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—“because My House lies in ruins, while you are running, each to his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you, the sky has withheld dew and the earth has withheld its yield. 11 For I have called for drought on the land, the hills and the grain, on the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on mankind and beast, as well as all labor of hands.”
12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol, and all the remnant of the people, heeded the voice of Adonai their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, since Adonai their God had sent him. So the people revered Adonai. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of Adonai, spoke to the people with the message of Adonai, “I am with you!”—it is a declaration of Adonai.
14 Then Adonai stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people, and they came and did work on the House of Adonai-Tzva’ot their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.
Glory of this Latter House
2 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol, and to the remnant of the people: 3 “Who remains among you who saw this House in its former glory? So how do you see it now? Does it not seem as nothing in comparison in your eyes? 4 But now, Zerubbabel, chazak!”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“and be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol, and all people of the land, chazak!”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“and work! For I am with you!”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot. 5 “According to the word I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. My Ruach is standing in your midst. Do not fear!”
6 For thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: “In just a little while I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, [t] 7 and I will shake all the nations. The treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this House with glory,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 8 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine!”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot. 9 “The glory of this latter House will be greater than the former,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “In this place, I will grant shalom”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
Adonai’s Promise to Zerubbabel
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Adonai came to Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘Ask now the kohanim for a ruling. 12 If a person carries consecrated meat in the corner of his garment, and with his corner he touches bread, stew, wine, oil or any food, will it become holy too?’”
Then the kohanim answered and said, “No.”
13 So Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become unclean?”
The kohanim answered and said, “It does become unclean.”
14 Then, Haggai answered and said, “So it is with this people. So is this nation before Me”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“and so is every work of their hands. What they were offering there was unclean. 15 But now, set your heart back from this day onward. Before stone was set upon stone in the Temple of Adonai, 16 how were things? When one came to a grain-heap of twenty measures, there were ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were twenty. 17 I struck you with blight and with mildew and with hail—every work of your hands—so you were nothing to Me”—it is a declaration of Adonai. 18 “Now, set your heart back from this day on—from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day the Temple of Adonai was founded, set your heart: 19 Is there still seed in the storehouse? Also the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree—are they still bearing fruit? From this day on I am going to bless you.”
20 Then the word of Adonai came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Say to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and I will overturn the throne of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn the chariot and its rider, so horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 “On that day’”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant’—it is a declaration of Adonai—“‘and I will set you like a signet ring. For I have chosen you.’” It is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
Return to the Lord
1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Adonai came to the prophet Zechariah[u], son of Berechiah son of Iddo, saying:
2 “Adonai has been furious with your fathers. 3 Therefore tell them, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Return to Me’[v]—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—‘and I will return to you,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 4 Do not be like your fathers to whom the former prophets cried out saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Turn back now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me.’ It is a declaration of Adonai.
5 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But My words and My decrees, which I commanded My servants the prophets—did they not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said ‘As He determined, Adonai-Tzva’ot has dealt with us according to our ways and our deeds.’”
Among the Myrtle Trees
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shevat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Adonai came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying: 8 “In the night I saw, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse was standing among the myrtle trees that were in the ravine. Behind him were red, sorrel and white horses.[w]
9 Then I asked, ‘What are these, my lord?’
Now the angel speaking with me said to me, ‘I will show you what these are.’
10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees answered and said, ‘These are the ones Adonai has sent to walk back and forth throughout the earth.’
11 They answered the angel of Adonai who stood among the myrtle trees saying, ‘We have walked throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth sits quietly and is still.’
12 Then the angel of Adonai answered and said, ‘Adonai-Tzva’ot, how long will You withhold compassion on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah with whom You have been angry for 70 years?’ 13 Adonai answered the angel who was speaking to me with pleasant, comforting words.
14 Then the angel speaking to me said, ‘Cry out saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion 15 and I am infuriated with the haughty nations. I was a little angry with them, but they furthered their own calamity.”
16 “Therefore,” thus says Adonai, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion. My House will be built there,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot “and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.” 17 Again cry out, saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity and Adonai will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem.’”[x]
Four Horns and Four Craftsmen
2 Then I lifted up my eyes and behold, I saw four horns! 2 I said to the angel speaking with me, ‘What are these?’
He said to me, ‘These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.’
3 Then Adonai showed me four craftsmen. 4 I asked, ‘What are these coming to do?’
He answered, ‘These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could raise his head, but the craftsmen have come to frighten them, to cast down the horns of the nations that have lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.’
Measuring Jerusalem
5 I lifted up my eyes—and behold, I saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. [y] 6 I asked, ‘Where are you going?’
He answered me, ‘To measure Jerusalem to see how wide and how long it is.’[z]
7 Then behold, the angel speaking with me left and another angel went out to meet him, 8 saying to him, ‘Run, speak to this young man saying: “Jerusalem will be inhabited as a village without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. 9 For I”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“will be a wall of fire around it and I will be the glory inside it. 10 Oy, oy! Flee from the land of the north”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“because I scattered you like the four winds of heaven”—it is a declaration of Adonai. 11 “Oy, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.”
12 “For thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, He has sent me after glory to the nations that plundered you—because whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye— 13 ‘For behold, I will shake My hand against them and they will be plunder to their servants.’ Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva’ot has sent me.
14 “‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will live among you’[aa]—it is a declaration of Adonai. 15 ‘In that day many nations will join themselves to Adonai and they will be My people and I will dwell among you.’ Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva’ot has sent me to you. 16 Adonai will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and will once again choose Jerusalem. 17 Be silent before Adonai, all flesh, for He has aroused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
Joshua the Kohen Gadol
3 Then he showed me Joshua the kohen gadol standing before the angel of Adonai and the satan[ab], standing at his right hand to accuse him. [ac] 2 Adonai said to the satan, ‘Adonai rebukes you, the satan. Indeed Adonai, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you.[ad] Is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire?’
3 Now Joshua was wearing filthy garments and standing before the angel 4 who answered and spoke to those standing before him saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Then to Joshua he said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you and will dress you with fine clothing.’[ae]
5 Then I said, ‘Place a clean turban on his head.’
So they put a pure turban on his head and clothed him with garments while the angel of Adonai stood by.
6 The angel of Adonai exhorted Joshua saying:
7 ‘Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will judge My House and watch over My courts and I will give you a place to walk among these standing here. 8 Listen well, Joshua kohen gadol, both you and your companions seated before you, because they are men who are a sign—behold, I will bring forth My servant the Branch. 9 For behold! The stone I have laid before Joshua is one stone with seven facets. On it I will engrave an inscription,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot, “that I will remove the iniquity of this land in one day. 10 In that day,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot, “every man will invite his neighbor to sit under the vine and under the fig tree.’”
Two Olive Trees and the Capstone
4 Then the angel who had been speaking with me returned and woke me—like a man who is wakened from his sleep.
2 He asked me, ‘What do you see?’
I replied, ‘Behold, I see a solid gold menorah with its bowl at the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven pipes for the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 Also two olive trees are by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on the left side of it.’[af]
4 Then I responded by saying to the angel speaking with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’
5 The angel who spoke with me responded by asking me, ‘You do not know what these are?’
I replied, ‘No, my lord.’
6 Then he responded to me by saying, ‘This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Ruach!” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 7 “What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace” to it.’”
8 Again the word of Adonai came to me saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this House. His hands will also finish it. Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva’ot has sent me to you. 10 For who despises the day of small things? These seven—which are the eyes of Adonai that run back and forth throughout the whole earth—will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
11 Then I responded by asking him, “What are these two olive trees, on the right and on the left of the menorah?” 12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two golden pipes that empty the golden oil out of them?”
13 He said to me, “You do not know what these are?”
I said, “No, my lord.”
14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Flying Scroll and Basket
5 Once again I lifted up my eyes and behold, I saw a flying scroll!
2 Then the angel asked me, “What do you see?”
I replied, “I see a flying scroll twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”
3 He said to me: “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land: everyone who steals will be swept away from here according to it, and everyone who swears will be swept away from here according to it.” 4 “I will send it out”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—“and it will enter into the house of the thief and into the house of the one who swears falsely by My Name and will reside inside his house destroying it, both its wood and its stones.”
5 Then the angel speaking with me came forward, and said to me, “Now lift up your eyes and see what is appearing.”
6 I asked, “What is it?”
He replied, “This is the measuring basket[ag] that goes out.” He continued, “This is their eye in all the land.” 7 Then behold, a lead cover was lifted and a woman was sitting in the middle of the measuring basket. 8 The angel exclaimed, ‘This is Wickedness!’ Then he shoved her back inside the measuring basket, throwing the lead weight over its mouth.
9 After this I lifted up my eyes and behold, I saw two women emerging with the wind in their wings (they had wings like the wings of a stork) and they raised the measuring basket between the earth and the heaven.
10 I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “Where are they taking the measuring basket?”
11 He said, “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will live there in her own place.”
Four Chariots
6 Again I lifted up my eyes, and behold, I saw four chariots emerging from between the two mountains—mountains of bronze! 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses, 3 the third chariot white horses and the fourth chariot had strong dapple horses.[ah]
4 Then I responded by saying to the angel speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 The angel answered me saying, “These are the four winds of heaven that go forth from the presence of the Lord of all the earth. [ai] 6 The chariot with the black horses is going to the land of the north and the white ones have gone out after them, but the dappled ones have gone out to the land of the south.” 7 When the strong ones went out, they requested to go to walk throughout the earth. He said, “Go! Walk throughout the earth.” So they walked throughout the earth.”
8 Then he called and spoke to me saying, ‘Look! Those going toward the land of the north have given rest to My Ruach in the north country.’
Crowns for Joshua
9 And the word of Adonai came to me saying: 10 ‘Take from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah who have come from Babylon, and go the same day, go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah! 11 Take silver and gold, make crowns and set on the head of Joshua son of Johozadak, the kohen gadol. 12 Then speak to him saying, “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: Behold, a man whose Name is the Branch will branch out from his place and build the Temple of Adonai. 13 He will build the Temple of Adonai. He will bear splendor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus He will be a kohen on His throne. So a counsel of shalom will be between them both. 14 The crowns will be in the Temple of Adonai as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah and Jedaiah, and to Chen son of Zephaniah. 15 Those who are far off will come and build in the Temple of Adonai.” Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva’ot has sent me to you. It will come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of Adonai your God.”
Justice and Chesed
7 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of Adonai came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, in Kislev. 2 Now Bethel sent Sarezer and Regem-melech together with his men to seek the favor of Adonai, 3 and to speak to the kohanim of the House of Adonai-Tzva’ot and to the prophets saying, “Should I mourn and consecrate myself in the fifth month as I have done for so many years?”
4 Then the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came to me saying: 5 “Speak to all the people of the land and to the kohanim saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh months for the past seventy years, did you really fast for Me? 6 When you eat and drink, are you not eating and drinking for yourself? 7 Are not these the words that Adonai proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem with its surrounding cities were inhabited and prosperous, when the Negev and the lowland were inhabited?’”
8 Again the word of Adonai came to Zechariah saying, 9 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘Administer true judgment and practice mercy and compassion each to his brother. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the outsider or the poor. Furthermore, do not let any of you devise evil against one another in your heart.’
11 “But they refused to pay attention. They stubbornly turned their backs and stopped their ears from hearing. 12 Indeed, they made their hearts as hard as flint preventing them from hearing the Torah or the words that Adonai-Tzva’ot sent by His Ruach through the former prophets. Consequently, great wrath came from Adonai-Tzva’ot. 13 It came about that just as He called and they did not listen, so they would call and I would not listen,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 14 ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations they have not known. Thus the land was left so desolate behind them that no one passed through or returned, for they made the pleasant land desolate.’”
Zealous for Zion
8 Then the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came saying: 2 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Zion, I am burning with jealousy for her.” 3 Thus says Adonai, “I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of Adonai-Tzva’ot will be called the Holy Mountain.” 4 Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “Once again old men and old women will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with his staff in his hand because of his age. 5 The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”
6 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘It may seem difficult in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, but will it also be difficult in My eyes?’—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot. 7 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. 8 I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem. They will be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’ [aj] 9 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Let your hands be strong—you who hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there the day the foundation of the House of Adonai-Tzva’ot was laid—so that the Temple may be rebuilt. 10 Before those days there were no wages for man or animal, nor was there any shalom from adversity for those who came or went because I set every one against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days”—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
12 “For there will be a sowing of shalom: the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its increase, and the heavens will give their dew. I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. 13 It will happen that just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you and you will be a blessing. Fear not! Let your hands be strong!’
14 For thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “Just as I determined to harm you when your fathers provoked Me to anger,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘and I did not relent, 15 so I have again determined in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Fear not! 16 These are the things that you are to do: speak the truth one to another; administer the judgment of truth and shalom in your gates; [ak] 17 do not let any of you devise evil in your hearts against your neighbor; and do not love false oaths, for I hate all these things,”—it is a declaration of Adonai.
18 Again the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came saying: 19 “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth month will become joy, gladness and cheerful moadim. Therefore, love truth and shalom!’ 20 Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “Peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will again come. 21 The inhabitants of one city will go to another saying ‘Let us go to entreat the favor of Adonai and to seek Adonai-Tzva’ot. I also am going.’ 22 Indeed, many peoples and powerful nations will come to seek Adonai-Tzva’ot in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Adonai.” 23 Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “In those days it will come to pass that ten men from every language of the nations will grasp the corner of the garment of a Jew saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
Judgment on Israel’s Enemies
9 The burden[al] of the word of Adonai is against the land of Hadrach
and will rest upon Damascus.
For the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel
are toward Adonai—
2 and also upon Hamath bordering it,
and upon Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
3 Tyre built herself a fortress
and heaped up silver like dust
and fine gold like dirt in the streets.
4 Behold, the Lord will impoverish her
and destroy her power on the sea,
while she will be devoured by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear.
Gaza will writhe in pain
as will Ekron because her hope will dry up.
The king will perish from Gaza
and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.
6 A mongrel people will live in Ashdod
and I will cut off the Philistines’ pride.
7 I will remove the blood from his mouth,
forbidden food from between his teeth.
Whoever is left will be a remnant for our God.
He will be like a leader in Judah,
and Ekron will be like a Jebusite.
8 But I will camp around My House
against marauding forces.
No oppressor will overrun them again—
for now I watch with My own eyes.
Zion’s Coming King
9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!
Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you,
a righteous one bringing salvation.
He is lowly, riding on a donkey—
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.[am]
10 I will banish chariots from Ephraim
and horses from Jerusalem,
and the war bow will be broken.
He will speak shalom to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea,
from the River to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also, by the blood of your covenant,[an]
I will release your prisoners from the waterless Pit.
12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope!
Today I declare that I will restore twice as much to you.
13 I will bend Judah as my bow
and fill it with Ephraim.
I will rouse your sons, O Zion
against your sons, O Greece.
I will wield you like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then Adonai will be seen over them
as His arrow flashes like lightning.
Adonai Elohim will blow the shofar
and march in whirlwinds of the south.[ao]
15 Adonai-Tzva’ot will defend them.
They will consume and conquer with sling stones.
They will drink and roar as with wine
and be filled like a bowl,
like the corners of the altar.
16 Adonai their God will save them on that day
as the flock of His people.
They will be like gems of a crown
sparkling over His land.
17 How good and beautiful it will be!
Grain will make the young men thrive
and new wine the virgin women.”
Good Shepherd Cares for Judah
10 Ask Adonai for rain in spring!
Adonai makes the storm clouds
and will give rain showers
and plants of the field to everyone.
2 The idols utter deceit
and diviners see lies.
They relate false dreams
and comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep,
afflicted because there is no shepherd.[ap]
3 My anger burns against the shepherds
and I will punish the leaders.[aq]
Adonai-Tzva’ot cares for His flock,
the house of Judah.
He will make them His valiant steed in battle.
4 From Judah will come the cornerstone,[ar]
from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow
and from him every leader together.
5 They will be like mighty men
treading down muddy streets in war.
They will fight, because Adonai is with them
and will put horsemen to shame.
6 I will strengthen the house of Judah
and save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back,
for I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
I had never spurned them,
for I am Adonai their God
and I will answer them!
7 The Ephraimites will be like a warrior.
Their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see and be glad.
Their hearts will rejoice in Adonai.
8 I will signal for them and gather them.
Surely I will redeem them
and they will be as numerous as before.
9 Though I scatter them among the peoples,
they will remember Me in distant places.
They and their children will survive and return.
10 I will restore from the land of Egypt
and gather them from Assyria.
I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon
till there is no room for them.
11 He will cross the turbulent sea
and calm its raging waves.
All the depths of the Nile will dry up,
the pride of Assyria brought down,
the scepter of Egypt removed.
12 So I will strengthen them in Adonai
and they will walk in His Name.
It is a declaration of Adonai.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.