Zechariah 8:9-13
New English Translation
9 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies also says, ‘Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,[a] so that the temple might be built. 10 Before that time there was no compensation for man or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody—each one—against everyone else. 11 But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 12 ‘for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit, and the ground its yield, and the skies[b] will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. 13 And it will come about that just as you, both Judah and Israel, were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong.’
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- Zechariah 8:9 sn These prophets who were there at the founding of the house of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies included at least Haggai and Zechariah, and perhaps others. The founding referred to here is not the initial laying of the temple’s foundations in 536 b.c. (Ezra 3:8) but the resumption of work two years before the time of the present narrative (i.e., in 520 b.c.), as vv. 10-12 make clear.
- Zechariah 8:12 tn Or “the heavens” (so KJV, NAB, NIV). The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “skies” depending on the context.
Zechariah 8:9-13
Legacy Standard Bible
9 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Let your hands be (A)strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the (B)prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of Yahweh of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was (C)no wage for man or any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no [a](D)peace because of the adversary, and I (E)set all men one against another. 11 But now I will (F)not [b]treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares Yahweh of hosts. 12 ‘For there will be (G)peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the heavens will give their (H)dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit (I)all these things. 13 And it will be that just as you were a (J)curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a (K)blessing. Do not fear; let your (L)hands be strong.’
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- Zechariah 8:10 Or safety
- Zechariah 8:11 Lit be to the
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