Zechariah 8

Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,

Once more, I felt the divine message from the Lord wash over me, whispering,

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

The LORD passionately declares, "My intense love for Zion stirred up a fierce jealousy within me."

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

The Lord declares, "I have come back to Zion, to live in the heart of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be known as the city of truth, and the Lord's mountain will be recognized as the sacred mountain."

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.

The LORD promises; Elderly men and women will once again fill the streets of Jerusalem, each leaning on their walking sticks due to their age.

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

The city's lanes will brim with the laughter and joy of children at play.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.

The Lord Almighty asks, "It may seem impossible to the people who are left these days, but does that make it too hard for me?"

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;

The Lord passionately declares, "Watch, I will rescue my people, whether they're in the east or the west."

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

I will lovingly gather them, making Jerusalem their home. They will be my cherished people, and I will be their faithful and just God.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

The Lord Almighty declares, "Be strong, all who hear these prophetic words today. They were spoken when the foundation of God's house was laid, to inspire its construction.

For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.

Before these times, there was no reward for man or beast's labor. There was no peace for those who traveled due to the hardship. I caused everyone to be at odds with their neighbor.

But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

Now, I, the Lord of all, promise not to treat the remaining people as I did before.

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

The seeds will thrive, the vines will bear fruit, the earth will offer its bounty, and the sky will shower its blessings. I promise, the remaining people will enjoy all these gifts.

And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

Just as you, O people of Judah and Israel, were once seen as a curse among the nations, I promise to rescue you. You will become a blessing instead. So, don't be afraid, but stand strong and courageous.

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:

The Lord Almighty says, "Just as I planned to discipline you when your ancestors angered me," declares the Lord Almighty, "I did not change my mind."

So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

Once more, I've decided to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah in these times. Don't be afraid.

These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Here's what you should do: Always be honest with each other, and make decisions that promote truth and peace within your community.

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

Don't harbor ill thoughts about others, and never love a false oath. I hate all these things, says the Lord.

And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,

The message from the Almighty LORD touched my heart, whispering,

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

The Lord declares; the fasting periods in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will bring joy, happiness, and festive cheer to the people of Judah. So, embrace honesty and peace.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:

The LORD Almighty declares; a time will come when people from numerous cities will gather.

And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

People from one town will eagerly invite those from another, saying, "Let's quickly go and pray to God, seek His presence. I'll join you too."

Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

Indeed, numerous individuals and powerful nations will journey to Jerusalem, drawn by their desire to seek God's wisdom and to offer their prayers to Him.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

The Lord declares, "In time, ten men from every nation, speaking different languages, will eagerly reach out to a Jew. They'll say, 'Let us join you, for we've heard that God is truly with you.'"