Zechariah 2

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

And I lift up my eyes, and look, and behold, a man, and in his hand a measuring line.

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.”

And I say, “To where are you going?” And he says to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how much [is] its breadth and how much its length.”

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

And behold, the messenger who is speaking with me is going out, and another messenger is going 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 he says to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem is inhabited [as] open places, From the abundance of man and beast in her midst.

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.”

And I am to her—a declaration of YHWH—A wall of fire all around, And I am for glory in her midst.

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!

Behold, and flee from the land of the north, A declaration of YHWH, For as the four winds of the heavens, I have spread you abroad, A declaration of YHWH.

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

Behold, Zion, be delivered who are dwelling [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 thus said YHWH of Hosts: He has sent Me after glory to the nations who are spoiling you, For he who is coming against you, Is coming against the pupil 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.”

For behold, I am waving My hand against them, And they have been a spoil to their servants. And you have known that YHWH 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!”

Sing, and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, For behold, I am coming, and have dwelt in your midst, A declaration of YHWH.

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.

And many nations have been joined to YHWH in that day, And they have been to Me for a people, And I have dwelt in your midst, And you have known that YHWH 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 YHWH has inherited Judah, His portion on the holy ground, And He has fixed again on 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].

Hush, all flesh, because of YHWH, For He has been roused up from His holy habitation!”