Zechariah 9

1 [the] oracle of [the] word of Yahweh [is] on [the] land of Hadrach and Damascus [is] resting place its for [is] to Yahweh [the] eye of humankind and all [the] tribes of Israel.

[This is another] message [that I received] from Yahweh. [Yahweh said, ] “I watch [MTY] everyone, especially the tribes of Israel; [so] I will [punish the people in] the Hadrach [region] and in Damascus [city] [because of what they did to the people of Israel].

2 And also Hamath [which] it borders it Tyre and Sidon for it is wise exceedingly.

[I will also punish the people in] nearby Hamath [city]. I will also [punish the people in] Tyre and Sidon [cities], even though they are [considered to be] [IRO] very wise.

3 And it built Tyre a fortification for itself and it heaped up silver like dust and gold like [the] mud of [the] streets.

[The people in] Tyre built a high wall [around their city]. They piled up [huge amounts of] silver and gold as though they were [piles of] dirt in the streets.

4 There! [the] Lord he will dispossess it and he will strike in the sea wealth its and it by fire it will be consumed.

But [I], Yahweh, will cause their precious possessions to be taken away and all their ships to be destroyed, and their city will be destroyed by a fire.

5 It will see Ashkelon so it may be afraid and Gaza so it may be in anguish exceedingly and Ekron for it will be ashamed object of confidence its and he will perish a king from Gaza and Ashkelon not it will remain.

[The people in Ashkelon city] will see that [happen], and they will become very afraid. [The people in] Gaza [city] will shake because of being terrified, and [the people in Ekron city] will shake too, because they will no longer expect [to prosper]. The king of [the city of] Gaza will be killed, and [the city of] Ashkelon will be deserted.

6 And it will dwell a mixed population in Ashdod and I will cut off [the] pride of [the] Philistines.

Foreigners will occupy Ashdod [city]. I will cause the [people in all those cities of] Philistia to no longer be proud.

7 And I will remove blood its from mouth its and detestable things its from between teeth its and it will be left also it to God our and it will be like a chief in Judah and Ekron [will be] like a Jebusite.

I will no longer allow them to eat [MTY] meat that still has blood in it, and I will forbid them to eat [MTY] food that I [MTY] have not allowed them to eat [because it was offered to idols]. [At that time, ] the people [in Philistia] who survive will worship me, and they will become [my people, like] the people of Judah are. The Philistine people of Ekron will also become my people like [SIM] the people of Jebus did [when they were conquered].

8 And I will encamp for house my a guard from [one who] passes through and from [one who] returns and not he will pass over them again an oppressor for now I have seen with own eyes my.

I will protect my temple, and I will not allow any [enemy soldiers] to enter it. No [enemies] will harm my people again, because I will be watching [over my people] carefully.

9 Rejoice exceedingly O daughter of Zion shout for joy O daughter of Jerusalem there! king your he will come to you [is] righteous and victorious he poor and riding on a donkey and on a male donkey a young one of female donkeys.

Rejoice very much, [you people of] Jerusalem [APO, DOU] and shout joyfully, because your king will be coming to you. He is righteous and victorious; [but he will be] gentle, and [he will be] riding on a donkey, on a young female donkey.

10 And I will cut off chariotry from Ephraim and horse[s] from Jerusalem and it will be cut off bow of war and he will speak peace to the nations and dominion his [will be] from sea to sea and from [the] river to [the] ends of [the] earth.

I will get rid of the chariots in the Ephraim [region that are used in battles] and [all] the war horses in Jerusalem. [All] the bows used in wars will be broken. [Your king] will proclaim that he will cause things to go well and peacefully in the nations. He will rule [the area] from the [Mediterranean] Sea to the [Dead] Sea, and from the [Euphrates] River to the most distant places on the earth.

11 Also you by [the] blood of covenant your I will set free prisoners your from a pit [which] not water [is] in it.

As for you [my people of Jerusalem], because of the blood [of the animals that were sacrificed to make] my agreement with you, I will free your people who were forced to go to other countries where [it was as though they were kept] in a waterless pit.

12 Return to [the] stronghold O prisoners of hope also this day [I am] declaring double I will restore to you.

[You people who were] prisoners [in those countries] who [still] confidently expect [God to help you], return to [Judah], where you will be safe. This day I declare that I will give you two blessings for [each of the troubles that you have experienced].

13 For I will bend for myself Judah a bow I will fill Ephraim and I will rouse sons your O Zion on sons your O Greece and I will make you like [the] sword of a warrior.

I will cause Judah to be like [MET] my bow, and I will cause Israel to be [like] [MET] my arrow. I will enable you young men of Jerusalem to fight against the soldiers of Greece; you will be like [SIM] a warrior’s sword.”

14 And Yahweh over them he will appear and it will go forth like lightning arrow his and [the] Lord Yahweh on the ram's horn he will give a blast and he will go in [the] storm winds of [the] south.

[Some day] Yahweh will appear [in the sky] above his people, and the arrows that he shoots will be like [SIM] lightning. Yahweh [our] Lord will blow his trumpet, and he will march [fiercely] like [MET] the storms from the south.

15 Yahweh of hosts he will defend them and they will eat and they will subdue stones of a sling and they will drink they will be in an uproar like wine and they will be full like bowl like [the] corners of [the] altar.

The Commander of the armies of angels will protect [his people]; [the soldiers of Judah] will attack and defeat [their enemies who attack them] using slingshots. [Those soldiers of Judah] will drink and celebrate and shout like [SIM] people who are drunk; they will be as full [of wine] as the bowl that holds [the blood of the animals that are sacrificed] and [which is then] sprinkled on the corners of the altar.

16 And he will deliver them Yahweh God their on the day that like [the] flock of people his for stones of a crown [will] display themselves on land his.

On that day, Yahweh our God will save his people [like a shepherd saves] his flock [of sheep from danger]. In their land, they will be like [SIM] jewels that sparkle on a crown.

17 For how! [will be] goodness its and how! [will be] beauty its grain young men and new wine it will cause to thrive young women.

They will be delightful and beautiful. The young men will become strong from [eating] grain, and the young women will [become strong] from [drinking] new wine.