CHAPTER 8

1 And the word of Jehovah of hosts came, saying, --

2 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- Zealous have I been for Zion with great zeal, And with great indignation have I been zealous for her.

3 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- I am returned to Zion and will dwell In the midst of Jerusalem; And called shall be Jerusalem, "The city of truth," And the mount of Jehovah of hosts, "The mount of holiness."

4 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- Yet dwell shall aged men and aged women In the streets of Jerusalem, Each one with his staff in his hand for very age;

5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls, Who shall play in its streets.

6 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- If marvellous it be In the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Shall it also in mine eyes be marvellous? Saith Jehovah of hosts.

7 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- Behold, I will save my people From the land of the east And from the land of the setting sun;

8 And I will restore them, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; And they shall be to me a people, And I will be to them a God, In truth and in righteousness.

9 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- Strengthened be your hands, Who hear in these days these words From the mouth of the prophets, Who were in the day when founded Was the house of Jehovah of hosts, And the temple, that it might be built.

10 For before those days There was no hire for man, and no hire for beast; And to the goer and to the comer, There was no peace because of distress; (207) And I sent forth all men, Each one against his neighbour.

11 But now, not according to former days, Shall I deal with the residue of this people, Saith Jehovah of hosts:

12 For the seed shall be prosperous; The vine shall yield its fruit, And the earth shall yield its increase, And the heavens shall give their dew; yea, I will cause the remnant of this people To inherit all these things. (210)

13 And it shall be, that as ye were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing; Fear not, strengthened be your hands.

14 For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- As I thought to bring evil on you, When provoke me did your fathers, Saith Jehovah of hosts, And I did not repent;

15 So have I turned, I have thought in these days To do good to Jerusalem And to the house of Judah, fear ye not

16 These are the things which ye shall do, -- Speak ye the truth, each one to his neighbour; The truth and the judgment of peace Proclaim in your gates;

17 And evil to his neighbour Let none of you imagine in your hearts; And a false oath love not; For all these things I hate, saith Jehovah.

18 And the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me, saying, --

19 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, And the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth month, Shall be to the house of Judah For joy, and gladness, and cheerful feasts; Therefore love ye truth and peace. (223)

20 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- It shall yet be, that come shall people And the inhabitants of great cities;

21 Yea, come shall the inhabitants Of one to another, saying, "Going let us go to entreat the face of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of hosts, I will also go:"

22 Yea, come shall great and strong nation To seek Jehovah of hosts at Jerusalem, And to entreat the face of Jehovah.

23 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, -- In those days shall it be, That ten men, of all languages of the nations, Shall lay hold on the skirt of a Jew, saying, "We will walk with you, For we have heard that God is with you."