| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1The word of the LORD Almighty came to me. | 1Then the word of the LORD who rules over all came to me as follows: |
| 2This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her." | 2"The LORD who rules over all says, 'I am very much concerned for Zion; indeed, I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her.' |
| 3This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain." | 3The Lord says, 'I have returned to Zion and will live within Jerusalem. Now Jerusalem will be called "truthful city," "mountain of the LORD who rules over all," "holy mountain."' |
| 4This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. | 4Moreover, the LORD who rules over all says, 'Old men and women will once more live in the plazas of Jerusalem, each one leaning on a cane because of advanced age. |
| 5The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there." | 5And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing. |
| 6This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty. | 6And,' says the LORD who rules over all, 'though such a thing may seem to be difficult in the opinion of the small community of those days, will it also appear difficult to me?' asks the LORD who rules over all. |
| 7This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. | 7"The LORD who rules over all asserts, 'I am about to save my people from the lands of the east and the west. |
| 8I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God." | 8And I will bring them to settle within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.' |
| 9This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Now hear these words, 'Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.' This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty. | 9"The LORD who rules over all 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 who rules over all, so that the temple might be built. |
| 10Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. | 10Before 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. |
| 11But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty. | 11But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,' says the LORD who rules over all, |
| 12"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. | 12for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. |
| 13Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong." | 13And 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!' |
| 14This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me," says the LORD Almighty, | 14"For the LORD who rules over all says, 'As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,' says the LORD who rules over all, 'and I was not sorry, |
| 15"so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. | 15so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah--do not fear! |
| 16These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; | 16These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. |
| 17do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD. | 17Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath--these are all things that I hate,' says the LORD." |
| 18The word of the LORD Almighty came to me. | 18The word of the LORD who rules over all came to me as follows: |
| 19This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace." | 19"The LORD who rules over all says, 'The fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become joyful and happy, pleasant feasts for the house of Judah, so love truth and peace.' |
| 20This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, | 20The LORD who rules over all says, 'It will someday come to pass that people--residents of many cities--will come. |
| 21and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' | 21The inhabitants of one will go to another and say, "Let's go up at once to ask the favor of the LORD, to seek the LORD who rules over all. Indeed, I'll go with you."' |
| 22And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him." | 22Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD who rules over all and to ask his favor. |
| 23This 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.'" | 23The LORD who rules over all says, 'In those days ten people from all languages and nations will grasp hold of--indeed, grab--the robe of one Jew and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'" |
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