The Hebrew Prophets

House of Y'hudah and house of Isra'el, just as you were formerly a curse among the nations, so now I will save you; and you will be a blessing. Don't be afraid, but take courage!'

"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!

These are the things you are to do: speak the truth to each other; in your courts, administer justice that is true and conducive to peace;

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,

also Hamat at its border, Tzor and Tzidon, for she is very wise.

Tzor built herself a fortified tower, heaping up silver as if it were dust and fine gold as if it were mud in the streets.

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

On seeing this, Ashkelon will be terrified; 'Azah too will writhe in pain; likewise 'Ekron, as her hopes are dashed. "The king will vanish from 'Azah, Ashkelon will be without people,

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.

Rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Tziyon! Shout out loud, daughter of Yerushalayim! Look! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, and he is victorious. Yet he is humble - he's riding on a donkey, yes, on a lowly donkey's colt.

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.