Zechariah 9

1An oracle, the word of Yahweh in the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for toward Yahweh is the eye of man and all the tribes of Israel.

2Hamath also borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

3Tyre built herself a stronghold and heaped up silver like dust, fine gold like the mire of the streets.

4Behold, the Lord will drive her out and strike her strength in the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

5Ashkelon will see and fear, Gaza will writhe greatly, Ekron too—for her confidence will be confounded, the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

6A bastard will reside in Ashdod, and I will destroy the arrogance of the Philistines.

7I will remove his bloodshed from his mouth and his detestable things from between his teeth; even he will remain for our God, and he will be like a leader in Judah, and Ekron like a Jebusite.

8I will encamp around my house against the army, against those passing through and returning, and no oppressor will pass over them anymore; for now I have seen with my eyes.

9Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you: righteous and victorious, he is humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a she-donkey.

10I will destroy the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the war bow will be destroyed, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

11You too, by the blood of your covenant, I have released your prisoners from the pit without water.

12Return to the stronghold, prisoners of hope—even today I declare that I will restore double to you.

13For I have bent Judah for myself as a bow, filled it with Ephraim, roused your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you like a mighty man's sword.

14Yahweh will appear over them, his arrow will go forth like lightning, and Lord Yahweh will sound the trumpet and advance amid whirlwinds from the south.

15Yahweh of hosts will defend them, and they will devour and subdue with sling stones; they will drink and roar as with wine; they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.

16Yahweh their God will save them on that day like the flock of his people, for they are like the stones of a crown raised high over his land.

17How good is his goodness, and how beautiful his beauty! Grain will make the young men cheerful, and new wine the virgins.