A Call to Return to the Lord

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius,(A) the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah(B) son of Berekiah,(C) the son of Iddo:(D)

“The Lord was very angry(E) with your ancestors. Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return(F) to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’(G) says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your ancestors,(H) to whom the earlier prophets(I) proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways(J) and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me,(K) declares the Lord.(L) Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words(M) and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?(N)

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve,(O) just as he determined to do.’”(P)

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.(Q)

During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red(R) horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.(S)

I asked, “What are these, my lord?”

The angel(T) who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.”(U)

10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.”(V)

11 And they reported to the angel of the Lord(W) who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.”(X)

12 Then the angel of the Lord said, “Lord Almighty, how long(Y) will you withhold mercy(Z) from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah,(AA) which you have been angry with these seventy(AB) years?” 13 So the Lord spoke(AC) kind and comforting words(AD) to the angel who talked with me.(AE)

14 Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous(AF) for Jerusalem and Zion, 15 and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure.(AG) I was only a little angry,(AH) but they went too far with the punishment.’(AI)

16 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return(AJ) to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line(AK) will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.(AL)

17 “Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort(AM) Zion and choose(AN) Jerusalem.’”(AO)

Four Horns and Four Craftsmen

18 Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. 19 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?”

He answered me, “These are the horns(AP) that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.”

20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. 21 I asked, “What are these coming to do?”

He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns(AQ) against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”[a](AR)

A Man With a Measuring Line

[b]Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?”

He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”(AS)

While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls(AT) because of the great number(AU) of people and animals in it.(AV) And I myself will be a wall(AW) of fire(AX) around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory(AY) within.’(AZ)

“Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered(BA) you to the four winds of heaven,”(BB) declares the Lord.(BC)

“Come, Zion! Escape,(BD) you who live in Daughter Babylon!”(BE) For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye(BF) I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them.[c](BG) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.(BH)

10 “Shout(BI) and be glad, Daughter Zion.(BJ) For I am coming,(BK) and I will live among you,”(BL) declares the Lord.(BM) 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people.(BN) I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.(BO) 12 The Lord will inherit(BP) Judah(BQ) as his portion in the holy land and will again choose(BR) Jerusalem. 13 Be still(BS) before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.(BT)

Clean Garments for the High Priest

Then he showed me Joshua(BU) the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan[d](BV) standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you,(BW) Satan! The Lord, who has chosen(BX) Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick(BY) snatched from the fire?”(BZ)

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin,(CA) and I will put fine garments(CB) on you.”

Then I said, “Put a clean turban(CC) on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements,(CD) then you will govern my house(CE) and have charge(CF) of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.(CG)

“‘Listen, High Priest(CH) Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic(CI) of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.(CJ) See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua!(CK) There are seven eyes[e](CL) on that one stone,(CM) and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin(CN) of this land in a single day.

10 “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit(CO) under your vine and fig tree,(CP)’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke(CQ) me up, like someone awakened from sleep.(CR) He asked me, “What do you see?”(CS)

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand(CT) with a bowl at the top and seven lamps(CU) on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees(CV) by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.(CW)

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:(CX) ‘Not(CY) by might nor by power,(CZ) but by my Spirit,’(DA) says the Lord Almighty.

“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.(DB) Then he will bring out the capstone(DC) to shouts(DD) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation(DE) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.(DF) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me(DG) to you.

10 “Who dares despise the day(DH) of small things,(DI) since the seven eyes(DJ) of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone[f] in the hand of Zerubbabel?”(DK)

11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees(DL) on the right and the left of the lampstand?”

12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”

13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I said.

14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed(DM) to[g] serve the Lord of all the earth.”

The Flying Scroll

I looked again, and there before me was a flying scroll.(DN)

He asked me, “What do you see?”(DO)

I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.[h]

And he said to me, “This is the curse(DP) that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief(DQ) will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely(DR) will be banished. The Lord Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely(DS) by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.(DT)’”

The Woman in a Basket

Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, “Look up and see what is appearing.”

I asked, “What is it?”

He replied, “It is a basket.(DU)” And he added, “This is the iniquity[i] of the people throughout the land.”

Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! He said, “This is wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it.(DV)

Then I looked up—and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork,(DW) and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

10 “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking to me.

11 He replied, “To the country of Babylonia[j](DX) to build a house(DY) for it. When the house is ready, the basket will be set there in its place.”(DZ)

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 1:21 In Hebrew texts 1:18-21 is numbered 2:1-4.
  2. Zechariah 2:1 In Hebrew texts 2:1-13 is numbered 2:5-17.
  3. Zechariah 2:9 Or says after … eye: “I … plunder them.”
  4. Zechariah 3:1 Hebrew satan means adversary.
  5. Zechariah 3:9 Or facets
  6. Zechariah 4:10 Or the plumb line
  7. Zechariah 4:14 Or two who bring oil and
  8. Zechariah 5:2 That is, about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide or about 9 meters long and 4.5 meters wide
  9. Zechariah 5:6 Or appearance
  10. Zechariah 5:11 Hebrew Shinar

大 利 烏 王 第 二 年 八 月 , 耶 和 華 的 話 臨 到 易 多 的 孫 子 、 比 利 家 的 兒 子 先 知 撒 迦 利 亞 , 說 :

耶 和 華 曾 向 你 們 列 祖 大 大 發 怒 。

所 以 你 要 對 以 色 列 人 說 , 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 你 們 要 轉 向 我 , 我 就 轉 向 你 們 。 這 是 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 的 。

不 要 效 法 你 們 列 祖 。 從 前 的 先 知 呼 叫 他 們 說 , 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 你 們 要 回 頭 離 開 你 們 的 惡 道 惡 行 。 他 們 卻 不 聽 , 也 不 順 從 我 。 這 是 耶 和 華 說 的 。

你 們 的 列 祖 在 哪 裡 呢 ? 那 些 先 知 能 永 遠 存 活 麼 ?

只 是 我 的 言 語 和 律 例 , 就 是 所 吩 咐 我 僕 人 眾 先 知 的 , 豈 不 臨 到 你 們 列 祖 麼 ? 他 們 就 回 頭 , 說 : 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 定 意 按 我 們 的 行 動 作 為 向 我 們 怎 樣 行 , 他 已 照 樣 行 了 。

大 利 烏 第 二 年 十 一 月 , 就 是 細 罷 特 月 二 十 四 日 , 耶 和 華 的 話 臨 到 易 多 的 孫 子 、 比 利 家 的 兒 子 先 知 撒 迦 利 亞 , 說 :

我 夜 間 觀 看 , 見 一 人 騎 著 紅 馬 , 站 在 窪 地 番 石 榴 樹 中 間 。 在 他 身 後 又 有 紅 馬 、 黃 馬 , 和 白 馬 。

我 對 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 說 : 主 啊 , 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 ? 他 說 : 我 要 指 示 你 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 。

10 那 站 在 番 石 榴 樹 中 間 的 人 說 : 這 是 奉 耶 和 華 差 遣 在 遍 地 走 來 走 去 的 。

11 那 些 騎 馬 的 對 站 在 番 石 榴 樹 中 間 耶 和 華 的 使 者 說 : 我 們 已 在 遍 地 走 來 走 去 , 見 全 地 都 安 息 平 靜 。

12 於 是 , 耶 和 華 的 使 者 說 : 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 啊 , 你 惱 恨 耶 路 撒 冷 和 猶 大 的 城 邑 已 經 七 十 年 , 你 不 施 憐 憫 要 到 幾 時 呢 ?

13 耶 和 華 就 用 美 善 的 安 慰 話 回 答 那 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 。

14 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 對 我 說 : 你 要 宣 告 說 , 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 我 為 耶 路 撒 冷 為 錫 安 , 心 裡 極 其 火 熱 。

15 我 甚 惱 怒 那 安 逸 的 列 國 , 因 我 從 前 稍 微 惱 怒 我 民 , 他 們 就 加 害 過 分 。

16 所 以 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 現 今 我 回 到 耶 路 撒 冷 , 仍 施 憐 憫 , 我 的 殿 必 重 建 在 其 中 , 準 繩 必 拉 在 耶 路 撒 冷 之 上 。 這 是 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 的 。

17 你 要 再 宣 告 說 , 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 我 的 城 邑 必 再 豐 盛 發 達 。 耶 和 華 必 再 安 慰 錫 安 , 揀 選 耶 路 撒 冷 。

18 我 舉 目 觀 看 , 見 有 四 角 。

19 我 就 問 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 說 : 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 ? 他 回 答 說 : 這 是 打 散 猶 大 、 以 色 列 , 和 耶 路 撒 冷 的 角 。

20 耶 和 華 又 指 四 個 匠 人 給 我 看 。

21 我 說 : 他 們 來 做 甚 麼 呢 ? 他 說 : 這 是 打 散 猶 大 的 角 , 使 人 不 敢 抬 頭 ; 但 這 些 匠 人 來 威 嚇 列 國 , 打 掉 他 們 的 角 , 就 是 舉 起 打 散 猶 大 地 的 角 。

我 又 舉 目 觀 看 , 見 一 人 手 拿 準 繩 。

我 說 : 你 往 哪 裡 去 ? 他 對 我 說 : 要 去 量 耶 路 撒 冷 , 看 有 多 寬 多 長 。

與 我 說 話 的 天 使 去 的 時 候 , 又 有 一 位 天 使 迎 著 他 來 ,

對 他 說 : 你 跑 去 告 訴 那 少 年 人 說 , 耶 路 撒 冷 必 有 人 居 住 , 好 像 無 城 牆 的 鄉 村 , 因 為 人 民 和 牲 畜 甚 多 。

耶 和 華 說 : 我 要 作 耶 路 撒 冷 四 圍 的 火 城 , 並 要 作 其 中 的 榮 耀 。

耶 和 華 說 : 我 從 前 分 散 你 們 在 天 的 四 方 ( 原 文 是 猶 如 天 的 四 風 ) , 現 在 你 們 要 從 北 方 之 地 逃 回 。 這 是 耶 和 華 說 的 。

與 巴 比 倫 人 同 住 的 錫 安 民 哪 , 應 當 逃 脫 。

萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 , 在 顯 出 榮 耀 之 後 , 差 遣 我 去 懲 罰 那 擄 掠 你 們 的 列 國 , 摸 你 們 的 就 是 摸 他 眼 中 的 瞳 人 。

看 哪 , 我 ( 或 譯 : 他 ) 要 向 他 們 掄 手 , 他 們 就 必 作 服 事 他 們 之 人 的 擄 物 , 你 們 便 知 道 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 差 遣 我 了 。

10 錫 安 城 啊 , 應 當 歡 樂 歌 唱 , 因 為 我 來 要 住 在 你 中 間 。 這 是 耶 和 華 說 的 。

11 那 時 , 必 有 許 多 國 歸 附 耶 和 華 , 作 他 ( 原 文 是 我 ) 的 子 民 。 他 ( 原 文 是 我 ) 要 住 在 你 中 間 , 你 就 知 道 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 差 遣 我 到 你 那 裡 去 了 。

12 耶 和 華 必 收 回 猶 大 作 他 聖 地 的 分 , 也 必 再 揀 選 耶 路 撒 冷 。

13 凡 有 血 氣 的 都 當 在 耶 和 華 面 前 靜 默 無 聲 ; 因 為 他 興 起 , 從 聖 所 出 來 了 。

天 使 ( 原 文 是 他 ) 又 指 給 我 看 : 大 祭 司 約 書 亞 站 在 耶 和 華 的 使 者 面 前 ; 撒 但 也 站 在 約 書 亞 的 右 邊 , 與 他 作 對 。

耶 和 華 向 撒 但 說 : 撒 但 哪 , 耶 和 華 責 備 你 ! 就 是 揀 選 耶 路 撒 冷 的 耶 和 華 責 備 你 ! 這 不 是 從 火 中 抽 出 來 的 一 根 柴 麼 ?

約 書 亞 穿 著 污 穢 的 衣 服 站 在 使 者 面 前 。

使 者 吩 咐 站 在 面 前 的 說 : 你 們 要 脫 去 他 污 穢 的 衣 服 ; 又 對 約 書 亞 說 : 我 使 你 脫 離 罪 孽 , 要 給 你 穿 上 華 美 的 衣 服 。

我 說 : 要 將 潔 淨 的 冠 冕 戴 在 他 頭 上 。 他 們 就 把 潔 淨 的 冠 冕 戴 在 他 頭 上 , 給 他 穿 上 華 美 的 衣 服 , 耶 和 華 的 使 者 在 旁 邊 站 立 。

耶 和 華 的 使 者 告 誡 約 書 亞 說 :

萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 如 此 說 : 你 若 遵 行 我 的 道 , 謹 守 我 的 命 令 , 你 就 可 以 管 理 我 的 家 , 看 守 我 的 院 宇 ; 我 也 要 使 你 在 這 些 站 立 的 人 中 間 來 往 。

大 祭 司 約 書 亞 啊 , 你 和 坐 在 你 面 前 的 同 伴 都 當 聽 。 他 們 是 作 預 兆 的 。 我 必 使 我 僕 人 大 衛 的 苗 裔 發 出 。

看 哪 , 我 在 約 書 亞 面 前 所 立 的 石 頭 , 在 一 塊 石 頭 上 有 七 眼 。 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 : 我 要 親 自 雕 刻 這 石 頭 , 並 要 在 一 日 之 間 除 掉 這 地 的 罪 孽 。

10 當 那 日 , 你 們 各 人 要 請 鄰 舍 坐 在 葡 萄 樹 和 無 花 果 樹 下 。 這 是 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 的 。

那 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 又 來 叫 醒 我 , 好 像 人 睡 覺 被 喚 醒 一 樣 。

他 問 我 說 : 你 看 見 了 甚 麼 ? 我 說 : 我 看 見 了 一 個 純 金 的 燈 臺 , 頂 上 有 盞 燈 , 燈 臺 上 有 七 盞 燈 , 每 盞 有 七 個 管 子 。

旁 邊 有 兩 棵 橄 欖 樹 , 一 棵 在 燈 盞 的 右 邊 , 一 棵 在 燈 盞 的 左 邊 。

我 問 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 說 : 主 啊 , 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 ?

與 我 說 話 的 天 使 回 答 我 說 : 你 不 知 道 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 麼 ? 我 說 : 主 啊 , 我 不 知 道 。

他 對 我 說 : 這 是 耶 和 華 指 示 所 羅 巴 伯 的 。 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 : 不 是 倚 靠 勢 力 , 不 是 倚 靠 才 能 , 乃 是 倚 靠 我 的 靈 方 能 成 事 。

大 山 哪 , 你 算 甚 麼 呢 ? 在 所 羅 巴 伯 面 前 , 你 必 成 為 平 地 。 他 必 搬 出 一 塊 石 頭 , 安 在 殿 頂 上 。 人 且 大 聲 歡 呼 說 : 願 恩 惠 恩 惠 歸 與 這 殿 ( 殿 : 或 譯 石 ) !

耶 和 華 的 話 又 臨 到 我 說 :

所 羅 巴 伯 的 手 立 了 這 殿 的 根 基 , 他 的 手 也 必 完 成 這 工 , 你 就 知 道 萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 差 遣 我 到 你 們 這 裡 來 了 。

10 誰 藐 視 這 日 的 事 為 小 呢 ? 這 七 眼 乃 是 耶 和 華 的 眼 睛 , 遍 察 全 地 , 見 所 羅 巴 伯 手 拿 線 鉈 就 歡 喜 。

11 我 又 問 天 使 說 : 這 燈 臺 左 右 的 兩 棵 橄 欖 樹 是 甚 麼 意 思 ?

12 我 二 次 問 他 說 : 這 兩 根 橄 欖 枝 在 兩 個 流 出 金 色 油 的 金 嘴 旁 邊 是 甚 麼 意 思 ?

13 他 對 我 說 : 你 不 知 道 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 麼 ? 我 說 : 主 啊 , 我 不 知 道 。

14 他 說 : 這 是 兩 個 受 膏 者 站 在 普 天 下 主 的 旁 邊 。

我 又 舉 目 觀 看 , 見 有 一 飛 行 書 卷 。

他 問 我 說 : 你 看 見 甚 麼 ? 我 回 答 說 : 我 看 見 一 飛 行 的 書 卷 , 長 二 十 肘 , 寬 十 肘 。

他 對 我 說 : 這 是 發 出 行 在 遍 地 上 的 咒 詛 。 凡 偷 竊 的 必 按 卷 上 這 面 的 話 除 滅 ; 凡 起 假 誓 的 必 按 卷 上 那 面 的 話 除 滅 。

萬 軍 之 耶 和 華 說 : 我 必 使 這 書 卷 出 去 , 進 入 偷 竊 人 的 家 和 指 我 名 起 假 誓 人 的 家 , 必 常 在 他 家 裡 , 連 房 屋 帶 木 石 都 毀 滅 了 。

與 我 說 話 的 天 使 出 來 , 對 我 說 : 你 要 舉 目 觀 看 , 見 所 出 來 的 是 甚 麼 ?

我 說 : 這 是 甚 麼 呢 ? 他 說 : 這 出 來 的 是 量 器 。 他 又 說 : 這 是 惡 人 在 遍 地 的 形 狀 。

( 我 見 有 一 片 圓 鉛 被 舉 起 來 。 ) 這 坐 在 量 器 中 的 是 個 婦 人 。

天 使 說 : 這 是 罪 惡 。 他 就 把 婦 人 扔 在 量 器 中 , 將 那 片 圓 鉛 扔 在 量 器 的 口 上 。

我 又 舉 目 觀 看 , 見 有 兩 個 婦 人 出 來 , 在 他 們 翅 膀 中 有 風 , 飛 得 甚 快 , 翅 膀 如 同 鸛 鳥 的 翅 膀 。 他 們 將 量 器 抬 起 來 , 懸 在 天 地 中 間 。

10 我 問 與 我 說 話 的 天 使 說 : 他 們 要 將 量 器 抬 到 哪 裡 去 呢 ?

11 他 對 我 說 : 要 往 示 拿 地 去 , 為 他 蓋 造 房 屋 ; 等 房 屋 齊 備 , 就 把 他 安 置 在 自 己 的 地 方 。

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.

Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.

10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

11 And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.

12 Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

13 And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

20 And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.

21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord.

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.

And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.

For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.

And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

16 “All this(A) I have told you so that you will not fall away.(B) They will put you out of the synagogue;(C) in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.(D) They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.(E) I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember(F) that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,(G) but now I am going to him who sent me.(H) None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’(I) Rather, you are filled with grief(J) because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate(K) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.(L) When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin,(M) because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness,(N) because I am going to the Father,(O) where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world(P) now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.(Q) 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth,(R) comes, he will guide you into all the truth.(S) He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine.(T) That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while(U) you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”(V)

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’(W) and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”(X) 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn(Y) while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.(Z) 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain(AA) because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief,(AB) but I will see you again(AC) and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.(AD) 23 In that day(AE) you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(AF) 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,(AG) and your joy will be complete.(AH)

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively,(AI) a time is coming(AJ) when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name.(AK) I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me(AL) and have believed that I came from God.(AM) 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”(AN)

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.(AO) 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe(AP) that you came from God.”(AQ)

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming(AR) and in fact has come when you will be scattered,(AS) each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.(AT) Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.(AU)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.(AV) In this world you will have trouble.(AW) But take heart! I have overcome(AX) the world.”

16 我 已 將 這 些 事 告 訴 你 們 , 使 你 們 不 至 於 跌 倒 。

人 要 把 你 們 趕 出 會 堂 , 並 且 時 候 將 到 , 凡 殺 你 們 的 就 以 為 是 事 奉 神 。

他 們 這 樣 行 , 是 因 未 曾 認 識 父 , 也 未 曾 認 識 我 。

我 將 這 事 告 訴 你 們 , 是 叫 你 們 到 了 時 候 可 以 想 起 我 對 你 們 說 過 了 。 我 起 先 沒 有 將 這 事 告 訴 你 們 , 因 為 我 與 你 們 同 在 。

現 今 我 往 差 我 來 的 父 那 裡 去 , 你 們 中 間 並 沒 有 人 問 我 : 你 往 那 裡 去 ?

只 因 我 將 這 事 告 訴 你 們 , 你 們 就 滿 心 憂 愁 。

然 而 , 我 將 真 情 告 訴 你 們 , 我 去 是 與 你 們 有 益 的 ; 我 若 不 去 , 保 惠 師 就 不 到 你 們 這 裡 來 ; 我 若 去 , 就 差 他 來 。

他 既 來 了 , 就 要 叫 世 人 為 罪 、 為 義 、 為 審 判 , 自 己 責 備 自 己 。

為 罪 , 是 因 他 們 不 信 我 ;

10 為 義 , 是 因 我 往 父 那 裡 去 , 你 們 就 不 再 見 我 ;

11 為 審 判 , 是 因 這 世 界 的 王 受 了 審 判 。

12 我 還 有 好 些 事 要 告 訴 你 們 , 但 你 們 現 在 擔 當 不 了 ( 或 作 : 不 能 領 會 ) 。

13 只 等 真 理 的 聖 靈 來 了 , 他 要 引 導 你 們 明 白 ( 原 文 作 進 入 ) 一 切 的 真 理 ; 因 為 他 不 是 憑 自 己 說 的 , 乃 是 把 他 所 聽 見 的 都 說 出 來 , 並 要 把 將 來 的 事 告 訴 你 們 。

14 他 要 榮 耀 我 , 因 為 他 要 將 受 於 我 的 告 訴 你 們 。

15 凡 父 所 有 的 , 都 是 我 的 ; 所 以 我 說 , 他 要 將 受 於 我 的 告 訴 你 們 。

16 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 就 不 得 見 我 ; 再 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 還 要 見 我 。

17 有 幾 個 門 徒 就 彼 此 說 : 他 對 我 們 說 : 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 就 不 得 見 我 ; 再 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 還 要 見 我 ; 又 說 : 因 我 往 父 那 裡 去 。 這 是 甚 麼 意 思 呢 ?

18 門 徒 彼 此 說 : 他 說 等 不 多 時 到 底 是 甚 麼 意 思 呢 ? 我 們 不 明 白 他 所 說 的 話 。

19 耶 穌 看 出 他 們 要 問 他 , 就 說 : 我 說 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 就 不 得 見 我 ; 再 等 不 多 時 , 你 們 還 要 見 我 , 你 們 為 這 話 彼 此 相 問 麼 ?

20 我 實 實 在 在 的 告 訴 你 們 , 你 們 將 要 痛 哭 、 哀 號 , 世 人 倒 要 喜 樂 ; 你 們 將 要 憂 愁 , 然 而 你 們 的 憂 愁 要 變 為 喜 樂 。

21 婦 人 生 產 的 時 候 就 憂 愁 , 因 為 他 的 時 候 到 了 ; 既 生 了 孩 子 , 就 不 再 記 念 那 苦 楚 , 因 為 歡 喜 世 上 生 了 一 個 人 。

22 你 們 現 在 也 是 憂 愁 , 但 我 要 再 見 你 們 , 你 們 的 心 就 喜 樂 了 ; 這 喜 樂 也 沒 有 人 能 奪 去 。

23 到 那 日 , 你 們 甚 麼 也 就 不 問 我 了 。 我 實 實 在 在 的 告 訴 你 們 , 你 們 若 向 父 求 甚 麼 , 他 必 因 我 的 名 賜 給 你 們 。

24 向 來 你 們 沒 有 奉 我 的 名 求 甚 麼 , 如 今 你 們 求 , 就 必 得 著 , 叫 你 們 的 喜 樂 可 以 滿 足 。

25 這 些 事 , 我 是 用 比 喻 對 你 們 說 的 ; 時 候 將 到 , 我 不 再 用 比 喻 對 你 們 說 , 乃 要 將 父 明 明 的 告 訴 你 們 。

26 到 那 日 , 你 們 要 奉 我 的 名 祈 求 ; 我 並 不 對 你 們 說 , 我 要 為 你 們 求 父 。

27 父 自 己 愛 你 們 ; 因 為 你 們 已 經 愛 我 , 又 信 我 是 從 父 出 來 的 。

28 我 從 父 出 來 , 到 了 世 界 ; 我 又 離 開 世 界 , 往 父 那 裡 去 。

29 門 徒 說 : 如 今 你 是 明 說 , 並 不 用 比 喻 了 。

30 現 在 我 們 曉 得 你 凡 事 都 知 道 , 也 不 用 人 問 你 , 因 此 我 們 信 你 是 從 神 出 來 的 。

31 耶 穌 說 : 現 在 你 們 信 麼 ?

32 看 哪 , 時 候 將 到 , 且 是 已 經 到 了 , 你 們 要 分 散 , 各 歸 自 己 的 地 方 去 , 留 下 我 獨 自 一 人 ; 其 實 我 不 是 獨 自 一 人 , 因 為 有 父 與 我 同 在 。

33 我 將 這 些 事 告 訴 你 們 , 是 要 叫 你 們 在 我 裡 面 有 平 安 。 在 世 上 , 你 們 有 苦 難 ; 但 你 們 可 以 放 心 , 我 已 經 勝 了 世 界 。

16 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.