⁷ Are these not the words which the Lord ^(A)proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and ^(B)carefree along with its cities around it, and the ^[a](C)Negev and the ^[b]foothills were inhabited?’”

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, ⁹ “This is what the Lord of armies has said: ‘^(D)Dispense true justice and practice ^(E)kindness and compassion each to his brother;