A Call to Return to the Lord

1 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)

² “The Lord was very angry^(E) with your ancestors. ³ 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. ⁴ 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) 5} Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? ⁶ 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)

¹⁰ “Shout^(A) and be glad, Daughter Zion.^(B) For I am coming,^(C) and I will live among you,”^(D) declares the Lord.^{(E) 11} “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people.^(F) I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.^{(G) 12} The Lord will inherit^(H) Judah^(I) as his portion in the holy land and will again choose^(J) Jerusalem. ¹³ Be still^(K) before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.^(L)”