Zechariah 2

1 Then I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line/tape.

Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2 I asked him, “Where are you going?” He replied, “[I am going] to measure Jerusalem, to determine how wide it is and how long it is.”

“Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”

3 Then the angel who had been talking to me started to leave, and another angel walked toward him.

Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel came out to meet him

4 That other angel said to him, “Run and tell that young man that [some day] there will be very many people and livestock in Jerusalem, with the result that there will be too many to live inside the city walls; many will [live outside] the walls.

and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.

5 And Yahweh says that he [himself] will be [like] [MET] a wall of fire around [the city], and he will be there with his glory.”

For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”

6 Yahweh declares [to the people who were exiled to Babylonia], “Run! Flee from Babylonia [MTY], the country east [of Israel], and flee in all directions from the places where I caused you to be scattered!

“Get up! Get up! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD.

7 You people [who previously lived in] Jerusalem and who [now] live in Babylon, flee from there!

“Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!”

8 The [armies of the] nations that [attacked you and] took away your valuable possessions have attacked those who are very precious to the Commander of the armies of angels [IDM]. So he says this about me: ‘After I have honored him and sent him to [rebuke] the nations,

For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—

9 [it is as though] I will strike them with my fist, with the result that those who were their slaves will [now] take back their possessions from those who caused them to become slaves.’ And when that happens, you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels is the one who sent me.”

I will surely wave My hand over them, so that they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me.”

10 Yahweh says, “[You people of] Jerusalem [APO], shout and be happy, [because] I will be coming [to you] and I will live among you!”

“Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD.

11 At that time, [people of] many nations will be united to Yahweh and will become his people. He will live among [all of] you; and you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels [is the one who] sent me to you.

“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.

12 [The people of] Judah will be a very special part of his sacred country, and Jerusalem will again be the city that he has chosen.

And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.

13 Everyone, [everywhere, ] should be silent in the presence of Yahweh, because he [again] will come [down] from the sacred place where he lives in heaven [to do great things for us].

Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”