8:1 Again the Dvar ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot came [to me], saying:
8:2 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"I was Jealous for Tzyon with great Jealousy, and I was Jealous for her with great fury."
8:3 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה):
"I am returned to Tzyon, and will dwell in the midst of Yerushalayim: and Yerushalayim shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot the set apart mountain."
8:4 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Yerushalayim, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. "
8:6 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?"said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot.
8:7 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"hinei, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country;"
8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Yerushalayim: and they shall be My people, and I will be their Elohim (אלהים), in truth and in righteousness.
8:9 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"Let your hands be strong, ye that shema in these days these Devarim by the mouth of ha Neviim, which [were] in the day [that] the yesod (foundation) of the house of ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot was laid, that the temple might be built.
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."
8:11 But now I [will] not [be] to the residue of this people as in the former days." said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot.
8:12 For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].
8:13 And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the goyim, O house of Yehudah, and house of Yisrael; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong.
8:14 For thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"As I thought to punish you, when your avot provoked me to wrath, said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot, and I repented not:
8:15 So again have I thought in these days to do well to Yerushalayim and to the house of Yehudah: "fear ye not."
8:16 These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; shafat (Execute) the misphat of Emet (truth) and Shalom in your gates:
8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these [are things] that I hate, said ADONAI (יהוה).
Description of future Yerushalayim and its role
8:18 And the Dvar ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot came to me, saying:
8:19 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"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 Yehudah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
8:20 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"[It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
8:21 And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before ADONAI (יהוה), and to seek ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot: I will go also.
8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot in Yerushalayim, and to pray before ADONAI (יהוה).
8:23 Thus said ADONAI (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"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 Yehudah, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] Elohim (אלהים) [is] with you."