THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH

Zechariah Chapter 9

1 ¶ The disclosure of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus his dwelling place: for the eyes of the LORD are on all mankind, as on all the tribes of Israel.

2 And also against Hamath which borders on it; and against Tyre, and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

3 Tyre built herself a fortress, and heaped up silver like dirt, and fine gold like the mud on the streets.

4 Behold, the Lord will make her poor, he will smash her wall into the sea; and she will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see it, and be afraid; Gaza will also see it, and writhe in anguish, as will Ekron; for her hope will fail; and Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

6 And a mixed people will live in Ashdod, and I will smash the pride of the Philistines.

7 And I will remove the blood from his mouth, and the detestable things from between his teeth: but some will remain there for our God, and they will be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron like the Jebusites.

8 And I will encamp around my house like an army, opposing those who march back and forth: and no oppressor will pass through them again: for I will now watch them with my eyes.

9 ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you: he is righteous, and brings salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey.

10 And I will get rid of the chariots in Ephraim, and the war horses in Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be removed: and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you, because you have a covenant made with blood I will release your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.

12 ¶ Return to the strong hold, you prisoners who have hope: even now I am telling you that I will restore to you double;

13 When I have bent Judah as my bow, and filled that bow with Ephraim, and rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like the sword of a mighty man.

14 Then the LORD will be seen over them, and his arrow will go out like lightning: and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will march like the storms in the south.

15 The LORD of hosts will defend them; and they will consume their enemies, and trample on the stones hurled by their slings; and they will drink blood, and be rowdy as with wine; and they will be full of it like bowls, and like the corners of the altar.

16 And the LORD their God will give the flock of his people victory on that day: for they will be like the jewels in a crown, sparkling over his land.

17 For how great is God’s goodness, and how great is his beauty! grain will make the young men thrive, and fresh wine the maidens.