14 “For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Just as I (A)determined to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to anger,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘and I have not (B)relented, 15 so I have again determined in these days to (C)do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. (D)Do not fear! 16 These are the things which you shall do: speak the (E)truth to one another; (F)judge with truth and judgment for peace at your [a]gates. 17 Also let none of you (G)devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love [b](H)perjury; for all these things are what I (I)hate,’ declares the Lord.”

18 Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying, 19 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘The fast of the (J)fourth, the fast of the (K)fifth, the fast of the (L)seventh, and the fast of the (M)tenth months will become (N)joy, jubilation, and [c]cheerful festivals for the house of Judah; so (O)love truth and peace.’

20 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘It will yet turn out that (P)peoples will come, that is, the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, “Let’s go at once to (Q)plead for the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of armies; [d]I also will go.” 22 So (R)many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of armies in Jerusalem, and to (S)plead for the favor of the Lord.’ 23 The Lord of armies says this: ‘In those days ten people from all the [e]nations will [f](T)grasp the [g]garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

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Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 8:16 I.e., the place where court was held
  2. Zechariah 8:17 Lit a false oath
  3. Zechariah 8:19 Or goodly
  4. Zechariah 8:21 Or let me go too
  5. Zechariah 8:23 Lit languages of the nations
  6. Zechariah 8:23 Lit grasp, and they will grasp
  7. Zechariah 8:23 Lit hem of a garment

14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster(A) on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, 15 “so now I have determined to do good(B) again to Jerusalem and Judah.(C) Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth(D) to each other, and render true and sound judgment(E) in your courts;(F) 17 do not plot evil(G) against each other, and do not love to swear falsely.(H) I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

18 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth,(I) fifth,(J) seventh(K) and tenth(L) months will become joyful(M) and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth(N) and peace.”

20 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat(O) the Lord and seek(P) the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”(Q)

23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”(R)

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