Dual Panel1The word of the LORD of Hosts came to me:
2These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: I have been very jealous for Zion, fiercely jealous for her.
3Now, says the LORD, I shall come back to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Faithfulness, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.
4These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: Once again old men and women will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each leaning on a stick because of great age;
5and the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls at play.
6These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: Even if this may seem impossible to the remnant of this nation in those days, will it also seem impossible to me? This is the word of the LORD of Hosts.
7These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: I am about to rescue my people from the countries in the east and the west,
8and bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I shall be their God, in faithfulness and justice.
9These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: Take heart, all who now hear the promise that the temple is to be rebuilt; you hear it from the prophets who were present when foundations for the house of the LORD of Hosts were laid.
10Before that time there was no hiring of people or animals; because of enemies, no one could go about his business in safety, for I had set everyone at odds with everyone else.
11But I do not feel the same now towards the remnant of this people as I did in former days, says the LORD of Hosts.
12For they will sow in safety; the vine will yield its fruit and the soil its produce, and the heavens will give their moisture; with all these things I shall endow the remnant of this people.
13To the nations you, house of Judah and house of Israel, have become proverbial as a curse; now I shall save you, and you will become proverbial as a blessing. Courage! Do not lose heart.
14For these are the words of the LORD of Hosts: Whereas I resolved to bring disaster on you when your forefathers provoked my wrath, says the LORD of Hosts, and I did not relent,
15so I have resolved to do good again in these days to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not be afraid.
16This is what you must do: speak the truth to each other, administer true and sound justice in your courts.
17Do not plot evil against one another, and do not love perjury, for all these are things I hate. This is the word of the LORD.
18The word of the LORD of Hosts came to me:
19These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: The fasts of the fourth month, and of the fifth, seventh, and tenth months, are to become festivals of joy and gladness for the house of Judah. So love truth and peace.
20These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: Nations and dwellers in many cities will come in the future;
21people of one city will approach those of another and say, “Let us go to entreat the favour of the LORD; let us resort to the LORD of Hosts; and I too shall go.”
22Many peoples and mighty nations will resort to the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and entreat his favour.
23These are the words of the LORD of Hosts: In those days, ten people from nations of every language will take hold of the robe of one Jew and say, “Let us accompany you, for we have heard that God is with you.”