Jerusalem, Holy City of the Future
1 Again the word of theLordof hosts came, saying,
2 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal;
With great fervor I am zealous for her.’
3 “Thus says theLord:
# ‘I will return to Zion,
# Anddwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
# Jerusalemshall be called the City of Truth,
# The Mountain of theLordof hosts,
# The Holy Mountain.’
4 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘Old men and old women shall again sit
In the streets of Jerusalem,
Each one with his staff in his hand
Because of great age.
5 The streets of the city
# Shall befull of boys and girls
Playing in its streets.’
6 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days,
# Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’
Says theLordof hosts.
7 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘Behold,I will save My people from the land of the east
And from the land of the west;
8 I willbring themback,
And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
# They shall be My people
And I will be their God,
# In truth and righteousness.’
9 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘Let your hands be strong,
You who have been hearing in these days
# These words by the mouth ofthe prophets,
# Whospokeinthe day the foundation was laid
For the house of theLordof hosts,
That the temple might be built.
10 For before these days
# There were nowages for man nor any hire for beast;
Therewasno peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in;
For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.
11 But now Iwillnottreatthe remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says theLordof hosts.
12 ‘Forthe seedshallbeprosperous,
The vine shall give its fruit,
# The ground shall give her increase,
# Andthe heavens shall give their dew—
I will cause the remnant of this people
To possess all these.
13 And it shall come to pass
# Thatjust as you werea curse among the nations,
O house of Judah and house of Israel,
# So I will save you, andyou shall be a blessing.
Do not fear,
Let your hands be strong.’
14 “For thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘Just as I determined to punish you
When your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’
Says theLordof hosts,
# ‘And I would not relent,
15 So again in these days
I am determined to do good
To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
Do not fear.
16 Thesearethe things you shalldo:
# Speak each man the truth to his neighbor;
Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;
17 Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor;
And do not love a false oath.
For all thesearethingsthat I hate,’
Says theLord.”
18 Then the word of theLordof hosts came to me, saying,
19 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
# ‘The fast of the fourthmonth,
# The fast of the fifth,
# The fast of the seventh,
# And the fast of the tenth,
# Shall bejoy and gladness and cheerful feasts
For the house of Judah.
# Therefore love truth and peace.’
20 “Thus says theLordof hosts:
‘Peoples shall yet come,
Inhabitants of many cities;
21 The inhabitants of onecityshall go to another, saying,
# “Let us continue to go and pray before theLord,
And seek theLordof hosts.
I myself will go also.”
22 Yes,many peoples and strong nations
Shall come to seek theLordof hosts in Jerusalem,
And to pray before theLord.’
23 “Thus says theLordof hosts: ‘In those days ten menfrom every language of the nations shallgrasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heardthatGodiswith you.” ’ ”