Zechariah 8

1The word of Yahweh of hosts came, saying.

2Thus says Yahweh of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and with great fury I am jealous for her.

3Thus says Yahweh: I have returned to Zion and will dwell amid Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the city of truth, and the mountain of Yahweh of hosts the holy mountain.

4Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Old men and old women will again dwell in Jerusalem's streets, every man with his staff in his hand because of the abundance of days.

5The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.

6Thus says Yahweh of hosts: If it seems marvelous in the eyes of this people's remnant in those days, should it seem marvelous in my eyes also? declares Yahweh of hosts.

7Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the land of the east and from the land of the setting sun.

8I will bring them, and they will dwell in Jerusalem's midst; they will be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and righteousness.

9Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present the day the foundation of the house of Yahweh of hosts—the temple—was laid, to be built.

10For before those days wages did not exist for humankind or for beasts; nor did anyone going out or coming in find peace because of the oppressor, since I set every person against his fellow.

11But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares Yahweh of hosts.

12For the seed of peace the vine will bear its fruit, the ground will yield its crop, and the heavens will send their dew; I will grant the remnant of this people all these as their inheritance.

13Just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; strengthen your hands.

14For thus says Yahweh of hosts: As I planned to harm you when your fathers angered me, says Yahweh of hosts, and I did not relent.

15So I have again determined in these days to benefit Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Do not fear.

16These are the things you shall do: speak truth, each man to his fellow; judge judgments of truth and peace in your gates.

17Let none of you plot harm against his neighbor in your hearts, and do not love a false oath, for I hate all these things, says Yahweh.

18Then the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying,

19Thus says Yahweh of hosts: The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall become joy and gladness, pleasant festivals, for the house of Judah. Love truth and peace.

20Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Peoples will yet come, and the inhabitants of many cities.

21The dwellers of one will go to another, saying, "Let us go in haste to beseech before Yahweh and to seek Yahweh of hosts; I will go also."

22Many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem and to plead for Yahweh's favor.

23Thus says Yahweh of hosts: In those days, ten men from all languages of the nations will seize the hem of a Jewish man's garment, saying, "We will go with you, for we have heard God is with you."