God

"For ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'Just as I resolved to do you harm when your forefathers provoked me,' ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'and I did not relent;

so now, I resolve to do good to Yerushalayim and to the house of Y'hudah. Don't be afraid!

don't plot harm against each other; and don't love perjury; for all these are things I hate,' says ADONAI."

This word of ADONAI-Tzva'ot came to me:

"ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'The fast days of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months are to become times of joy, gladness and cheer for the house of Y'hudah. Therefore, love truth and peace.'

"ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'In the future, peoples and inhabitants of many cities will come;

the inhabitants of one city will travel to another and say, "We must go to ask ADONAI's favor and consult ADONAI-Tzva'ot. I'll go too."

Yes, many peoples and powerful nations will come to consult ADONAI-Tzva'ot in Yerushalayim and to ask ADONAI's favor.'

ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'When that time comes, ten men will take hold - speaking all the languages of the nations - will grab hold of the cloak of a Jew and say, "We want to go with you, because we have heard that God is with you."'"

A prophecy, the word of ADONAI: In the land of Hadrakh and Dammesek is where [God] comes to rest, for the eyes of humankind are directed toward ADONAI, as are those of all the tribes of Isra'el,

But Adonai will dispossess her and break her power at sea, while the city itself will be destroyed by fire.

and a mixed people will live in Ashdod, as I destroy the pride of the P'lishtim.

I will end their eating meat with its blood still in it, snatching the disgusting things from between their teeth." But the surviving remnant will belong to our God; it will be like a clan in Y'hudah; and 'Ekron will be like a Y'vusi.

"Then I will guard my house against armies, so that none will march through or return. No oppressor will ever again overrun them, for now I am watching with my own eyes.

I will banish chariots from Efrayim and war-horses from Yerushalayim." The warrior's bow will be banished, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. He will rule from sea to sea, and from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.

"Also you, by the blood of your covenant, I release your prisoners from [the dungeon,] the cistern that has no water in it.

Return to the stronghold, you prisoners with hope! This day I declare to you that I will grant you double reparation.

For I have bent Y'hudah as my bow and made Efrayim its arrow. I will rouse your sons, Tziyon, and make you like a warrior's sword against your sons, Greece."

ADONAI will appear over them, and his arrow will flash like lightning. Adonai ELOHIM will blow the shofar and go out in the whirlwinds of the south.

ADONAI-Tzva'ot will defend them; they will devour and trample the sling-stones. They will drink and roar as if they had drunk wine; they will be filled, like basins and like the corners of the altar.

On that day ADONAI their God will save them as the flock of his people; for they will be like gems in a crown, sparkling over his countryside.

What wealth is theirs, what beauty! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.

Ask ADONAI for rain in the spring, ADONAI who makes the rain clouds; and he will give them showers of rain, grass in the field to each one.

"My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will vent it on the leaders of the flock." For ADONAI-Tzva'ot will care for his flock, the people of Y'hudah; he will make them like his royal war-horse.

They will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, because ADONAI is with them; they will rout even those on horseback.