Zechariah 13

1 “On that day [in the future, at a specific time] a fountain [source of water, spring] will be opened [to flow continually, to be accessible] to the house [family, dynasty] of David [the king of Israel] and the people [inhabitants, dwellers] of Jerusalem [the city of peace, capital of Judah], to cleanse [purify, wash away] them from sin [guilt, rebellion] and impurity [uncleanness, moral corruption]. word study 2 And on that day [in the future, at the appointed time], declares the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], I will erase [cut off, destroy] the names [identities, reputations] of the idols [false gods, images] from the land [earth, territory], and they will no longer be remembered [recalled, honored]. I will also remove [cause to pass away] the prophets [spokesmen, messengers] and the spirit [breath, attitude] of impurity [uncleanness, sin] from the land [earth, territory]. word study 3 And if anyone [yet] still prophesies [speaks under the influence of the divine spirit], his father [parent, paternal figure] and mother [maternal figure, nurturer] who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive [will not survive, will die], because you have spoken falsely [lied, deceived] in the name [authority, character] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God].’ When he prophesies [speaks as a prophet], his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through [stab, thrust him with a sword]. word study 4 And on that day [in the future, at a specific time] every prophet [someone who speaks for God, a spokesperson] who prophesies [speaks under the influence of the divine spirit] will be ashamed [feel guilty, disappointed] of his vision [a divine revelation, a dream], and he will not put on [wear, clothe himself with] a hairy cloak [a rough garment, a prophet’s robe] in order to deceive [lie, be untrue]. word study 5 He will say, ‘I am [not truly, by profession] not a prophet [one who speaks for God]; I work [till, cultivate, serve] the land [earth, soil, ground], for I was [have been, since birth] purchased [bought, acquired] as a servant [bondman, slave] in my youth [young age, early life]. ’ word study 6 If someone asks him, ‘What [in the world, why] are these [visible, physical] wounds [injuries, blows] on your [outstretched, open] chest [between your arms, hands] ?’ he will answer, ‘These are the wounds [hurts, injuries] I received [was smitten, struck] in the house [place, dwelling] of my [loved, dear] friends [those who loved me].’ word study 7 Awake, O sword [weapon of judgment], against My Shepherd [the one who cares for My people], against the man who is My Companion [my fellow, neighbor], declares the LORD [Yehovah] of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep [the flock, God’s people] will be scattered [dispersed, broken], and I will turn My hand [My power, My direction] against the little ones [the humble, the weak]. word study 8 And in all [the whole, entire] the land [earth, territory], declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], two-thirds [two parts, a dual portion] will be cut off [destroyed, severed] and perish [die, expire], but a third [the remaining part, a surviving remnant] will be left [remain, spared] in it [the land, the earth]. word study 9 This third [one-third of the people, a remnant] I will bring through the fire [a refining and purifying process]; I will refine them like silver [removing impurities, testing their faith] and test them like gold [proving their character, revealing their true nature]. They will call on My name [invoke My presence, seek My help], and I will answer them [respond to their prayers, provide guidance]. I will say, ‘They are My people [My chosen ones, My beloved],’ and they will say, ‘The LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] is our God [our Redeemer, our Savior].’” word study