³ He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted^(A) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. ⁴ For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you^(B) to fight^(C) for you against your enemies to give you victory.^(D)”

⁴ But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong,^(A) Joshua son of Jozadak,^(B) the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with^(C) you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

¹³ Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse^[a](A) among the nations, so I will save^(B) you, and you will be a blessing.^[b](C) Do not be afraid,^(D) but let your hands be strong.^(E)”

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^(B)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(A)

¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy^(A) of the Lord and please him^(B) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(C) 11} being strengthened with all power^(D) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(E) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(F) who has qualified you^[a] to share in the inheritance^(G) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(H)

¹⁷ But the Lord stood at my side^(A) and gave me strength,^(B) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(C) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^(D)

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for^(A) and assurance about what we do not see.^(B)