1. In November of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the lord gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:
2. “I, the lord, was very angry with your ancestors.
3. Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the lord of Heaven’s Armies.’
4. Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’
5. “Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead.