Holy Bible: Easy-To-Read Version

Zechariah 8:13-23 Holy Bible: Easy-To-Read Version (ETR)

13. People began using the names Israel and Judah in their curses. But I will save Israel and Judah, and their names will become a blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong!”

14. The Lord All-Powerful says, “Your ancestors made me angry, so I decided to destroy them. I decided not to change my mind.” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said.

15. “But now I have changed my mind. And in the same way I have decided to be good to Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid!

16. But you must do this: Tell the truth to your neighbors. When you make decisions in your cities, be fair and do what is right. Do what brings peace.

17. Don’t make secret plans to hurt your neighbors. Don’t make false promises. You must not enjoy doing these things, because I hate them!” This is what the Lord said.

18. I received this message from the Lord All-Powerful.

19. The Lord All-Powerful says, “You have special days of sadness and fasting in the fourth month, the fifth month, the seventh month, and the tenth month. These days of sadness must be changed into days of happiness. They will be good and happy festivals. And you must love truth and peace.”

20. The Lord All-Powerful says, “In the future, people from many cities will come to Jerusalem.

21. People from different cities will greet each other and say, ‘We are going to worship the Lord All-Powerful.’ And the other person will say, ‘I would like to go with you!’”

22. Many people and many powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to find the Lord All-Powerful and to worship him.

23. The Lord All-Powerful says, “At that time many foreigners speaking different languages will come to a Jewish man, take hold of the hem of his robe, and ask, ‘We heard that God is with you. Can we come with you to worship him?’”