Zechariah 6
1 And I again lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out four chariots from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of copper.
I looked up again, and [in the vision] I saw four chariots coming toward me. [They were coming] between two mountains [that were made] of bronze.
2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot, black horses:
The first chariot [was pulled by] red horses, the second chariot [was pulled by] black horses,
3 And in the third chariot, white horses; and in the fourth chariot, grizzled, ash-colored horses.
the third chariot [was pulled by] white horses, and the fourth chariot [was pulled by] spotted gray horses. They were all very strong horses.
4 And I began and said unto the angel that spoke with me, What are these, my lord?
I asked the angel who had been speaking to me, “Sir, what do those chariots mean?”
5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth after having stood before the Lord of all the earth.
The angel replied, “They have come from standing in the presence of the Lord who controls/rules the entire earth. They will go across the sky in four directions.
6 The [chariot] on which are black horses—these go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grizzled go forth toward the south country.
The chariot [pulled by] black horses will go north, the [one pulled by] white horses will go west, the one [pulled by] spotted gray horses will go south.”
7 And the red-colored were gone forth, and sought to traverse the earth: and he said, Go, traverse the earth. So they traversed the earth.
When those powerful horses left, their [chariot-drivers] were eager to go throughout the world. [As they were leaving, ] the angel said to them, “Go throughout the world [and see what is happening]!” So that is what they did.
8 Then cried he loudly unto me, and spoke unto me, saying, Behold, these that are going toward the north country, have quieted [the indignation of] my spirit in the north country.
Then the angel called to me [and said], “Look/Listen, the [drivers of the] chariots that have gone north will do what the Spirit [of Yahweh wants them to do] there.”
9 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Then Yahweh gave me [another] message.
10 Take from the exiles, from Cheldai, from Tobiyahu, and from Yeda'yah, and thou shalt come on the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephanyah, whither they have arrived from Babylon;
He said, “Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will be bringing some silver and gold from the people who were (exiled in/forced to go to) Babylon. As soon as they arrive, go to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
11 Take also silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak the high priest;
Take [some of that] silver and gold from them and make a crown. Then put it on the head of Jehozadak’s son Joshua, the Supreme Priest.
12 And thou shalt say unto him as followeth, Thus hath said the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold a man, Sprout is his name; since out of his own place shall he sprout up, even he shall build the temple of the Lord:
Tell him that [I], the Commander of the armies of angels, say that the man who is called the Branch will come. He will leave the place where he is now, and he will [supervise those who] build my temple.
13 Yea, he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and a priest shall be upon his own throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between both of them.
He is the one who [will tell those who] will build my temple [what to do]. He will wear royal clothing and he will sit on his throne and rule. There will also be a priest [sitting] next to his throne, and the two of them will work together harmoniously.
14 And the crowns shall be for Chelem, and for Tobiyah, and for Yeda'yah, and for Chen the son of Zephanyah, as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.
The crown must be [kept] in my temple to remind people of what Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah [did for them].
15 And distant ones shall come and build on the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God.
People who are [living] far away will come and [help to] build my temple. When that happens, the people will know that [I], the Commander of the armies of angels, have sent you to them. [That will happen] if they faithfully obey me, Yahweh, your/their God.”
