“The Lord of armies says this: ‘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 the Lord of armies was laid, so that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was (C)no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no [a](D)peace because of [b]his enemies, and I (E)sent all the people against one another. 11 But now I will (F)not [c]treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of armies. 12 ‘For there will be (G)the seed of peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the heavens will provide their (H)dew; and I will give to the remnant of this people (I)all these things as an inheritance. 13 And it will come about that just as you were a (J)curse among the nations, 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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Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 8:10 Or security
  2. Zechariah 8:10 Lit the adversary
  3. Zechariah 8:11 Lit be to the

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong(A) so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets(B) said who were present when the foundation(C) was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages(D) for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely(E) because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,”(F) declares the Lord Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit,(G) the ground will produce its crops,(H) and the heavens will drop their dew.(I) I will give all these things as an inheritance(J) to the remnant of this people.(K) 13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse[a](L) among the nations, so I will save(M) you, and you will be a blessing.[b](N) Do not be afraid,(O) but let your hands be strong.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 8:13 That is, your name has been used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, you have been regarded as under a curse.
  2. Zechariah 8:13 Or and your name will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or and you will be seen as blessed