Zechariah 9

1 A declaration: this message from the LORD in the land of Hadrach, ^{a9:1 i.e. a district near Damascus} with Damascus its confederate, ^{b9:1 Cf. Isa 7:2; or resting place} because the eyes of humanity ^{c9:1 Or Aram} will look to ^{d9:1 Lit. will be on} the LORD, along with those of ^{e9:1 The Heb. lacks those of} all the tribes of Israel.ISV — Zechariah 9:1

2 Also Hamath, which borders on it— along with Tyre and Sidon— indeed they are very wise.ISV — Zechariah 9:2

3 “Tyre built itself a fortification, hoarding silver like dust and pure gold like mud in a street.ISV — Zechariah 9:3

4 Look! The Lord will evict her, striking at her power in the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.ISV — Zechariah 9:4

5 Ashkelon will see it happen and will be terrified; Gaza will tremble greatly. Ekron will be ashamed of her expectations, Gaza’s king will perish, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited.ISV — Zechariah 9:5

6 A strange people ^{f9:6 Lit. A bastard} will inhabit Ashdod, and I will eliminate the arrogance of Philistia.ISV — Zechariah 9:6

7 I will remove the blood from its mouth, along with its abominations from between its teeth. Its survivors will be dedicated to our God; It will be like a clan of Judah, and Ekron will be as a Jebusite. ^{g9:7 i.e. a Jerusalemite}ISV — Zechariah 9:7

8 I will set a garrison around my Temple, to hinder those who might come and go, and to guard against oppressors who intend to invade; for I have taken note of this with my eyes.”ISV — Zechariah 9:8

9 “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; cry out, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, and he is able to save. He is humble, and is riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.ISV — Zechariah 9:9

10 I will banish ^{h9:10 Lit. will cut off} chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem. War weapons ^{i9:10 Lit. The war bow} will be banished, and your king ^{j9:10 Lit. and he} will speak peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the River to the farthest portion of the earth.ISV — Zechariah 9:10

11 Now concerning you and my blood covenant with you, I have liberated your prisoners from a waterless pit.ISV — Zechariah 9:11

12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners who have hope. Even today I am telling you: In return I will repay you double.ISV — Zechariah 9:12

13 For I have bent Judah as if it were my bow, loading it with Ephraim. I raised up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, wielding you like a mighty warrior’s sword.”ISV — Zechariah 9:13

14 The LORD will appear over them— his arrow will shoot like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and go out with the southern windstorm.ISV — Zechariah 9:14

15 The LORD of the Heavenly Armies will defend them; they will devour and conquer those who sling stones. They will drink and be boisterous like those who are drunk. They will be filled to the brim with blood, ^{k9:15 The Heb. lacks with blood} like the corners of the altar.ISV — Zechariah 9:15

16 The LORD their God will save them at that time ^{l9:16 Lit. day} as his very own flock of people, because they are his crown jewels, exalted throughout his land.ISV — Zechariah 9:16

17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the virgins.ISV — Zechariah 9:17