Zechariah 1:7-17 - Zechariah's First Vision

⁷ In the second year that Darius was king, on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month (the month of Shebat), Jehovah gave me a message in a vision at night.

⁸ He said: I had a vision in the night. I saw someone riding a red horse. He stopped among some myrtle trees in a valley, and behind him were other horses, red, speckled, and white. ⁹ I asked him, Sir, what do these horses mean? He answered: I will show you what they mean.

¹⁰ The man answered: These are they whom Jehovah sent to inspect the earth.

¹¹ They spoke to the Messenger (Angel) of Jehovah who stood among the myrtle-trees: We have patrolled the earth and the entire world is at rest.

¹² Then the Messenger (Angel) of Jehovah said: Jehovah of Hosts, how much longer until you show compassion to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah? You have been angry with them for seventy years. ¹³ Jehovah replied to the angel that talked with me with gracious and comforting words.

¹⁴ The angel said: Call out, say, this is what Jehovah of Hosts has said: 'I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with intense ardor. ¹⁵ And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease (secure). I was but a little angered and they caused my anger to grow into fury.' ¹⁶ Therefore, said Jehovah: I will return to Jerusalem with compassion. My house will be built in it, said Jehovah of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.

¹⁷ Pronounce again, Jehovah of hosts: 'My cities will again overflow with prosperity. Jehovah will comfort Zion and yet choose Jerusalem.'