Zechariah 8

Zechariah 8:6

If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.

If it seem a thing strange and difficult unto you, the remnant of the people, that Jerusalem should be thus blessed with peace and prosperity; it is no whit strange or difficult unto me, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Zechariah 8:7

Behold I will save my people from the east country and from the west country.

Behold, I will both preserve and fetch home my people, from all the coasts of heaven; from the east and west countries; and from the north, viz. of Babylon, much more.

Zechariah 8:9

Let your hands be strong.

Be ye of good courage, and go cheerfully about the work.

Zechariah 8:10

For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.

For before these days, while ye slackened the building of the Temple, ye lived in penury and want: your labours were heartless, and unsuccessful: ye were infested and endangered with enemies, so as ye could not stir out of your houses, without peril; for, as a just punishment of your neglect, I did cause both outward and inward broils and quarrels, to be raised up amongst you.

Zechariah 8:11

But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

But now, it shall be otherwise: since ye address yourselves to this work, heartily and willingly, I will be favourable and gracious to you, saith the Lord.

Zechariah 8:14

As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, &c.

As I justly decreed to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath by their sins, and by their wilful neglect of my work; and accordingly performed it, saith the Lord. So again, &c.

Zechariah 8:19

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feast; therefore love the truth and peace.

Thus saith the Lord; Be not careful of the keeping of those your solemn fasts; for I will turn all those fasts of yours, both that, which you keep in the fourth month, in memory of the breaking down of the wall of Jerusalem; and that, which you keep in the fifth, in memory of the burning of the Temple; and that, which ye keep in the seventh, in memory of the murder of Gedaliah; and that, which ye keep in the tenth, in memory of the first siege laid to Jerusalem, all these will I turn to joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts unto the house of Judah; therefore, be ye careful to carry yourselves holily, justly, peaceably, before your god. VIII. 20, 21. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts. And more than so: I will give a happy increase to my Church: many people and nations shall be added unto it; and shall cheerfully join together, and encourage each other in my service, both by their hearty counsels and examples. So also verse 22.

Zechariah 8:23

In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

In those days it shall come to pass, that the Gentiles shall be added to the Church; in such number and zeal, as that many of them shall resort to one well-informed convert of the Christian Jews, and shall desire to be taught by him in the truth of godliness.