Now the people of Bethel<n id="1" /> had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech and their companions to seek the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s favor

Next I eradicated the three shepherds in one month,<n id="1" /> for I ran out of patience with them and, indeed, they detested me as well.

Indeed, I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land,&#8221; says the <sc>Lordsc>, &#8220;but instead I will turn every last person over to his neighbor and his king. They will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from them.&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Next I saw Joshua the high priest<n id="1" /> standing before the angel of the <sc>Lordsc>, with Satan<n id="2" /> standing at his right hand to accuse him.

<p class="bodytext">Moreover, as for you, because of our covenant relationship secured with blood, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.

<p class="poetry">Howl, fir tree,p> <p class="poetry">because the cedar has fallen;p> <p class="poetry">the majestic trees have been destroyed.p> <p class="poetry">Howl, oaks of Bashan,p> <p class="poetry">because the impenetrable forest has fallen.p>

<p class="poetry">It will happen in all the land, says the <sc>Lordsc>,p> <p class="poetry">that two-thirds of the people<n id="1" /> in it will be cut off and die,p> <p class="poetry">but one-third will be left in it.<n id="2" />p>

Moreover, Judah will fight at<n id="1" /> Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered up<n id="2" /> &#8211; gold, silver, and clothing in great abundance.

and said to him, &#8220;Hurry, speak to this young man<n id="1" /> as follows: &#8216;Jerusalem will no longer be enclosed by walls<n id="2" /> because of the multitude of people and animals there.

For the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all says to me that for his own glory<n id="1" /> he has sent me to the nations that plundered you &#8211; for anyone who touches you touches the pupil<n id="2" /> of his<n id="3" /> eye.

&#8220;Many nations will join themselves to the <sc>Lordsc> on the day of salvation,<n id="1" /> and they will also be my<n id="2" /> people. Indeed, I will settle in the midst of you all.&#8221; Then you will know that the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all has sent me to you.

For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes<n id="1" /> will joyfully look on the tin tablet<n id="2" /> in Zerubbabel&#8217;s hand. (These are the eyes of the <sc>Lordsc>, which constantly range across the whole earth.)p>

Indeed, they made their heart as hard as diamond,<n id="1" /> so that they could not obey the Torah and the other words the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore, the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all had poured out great wrath.p>

The Lord says, &#8216;I have returned to Zion and will live within Jerusalem.<n id="1" /> Now Jerusalem will be called &#8220;truthful city,&#8221; &#8220;mountain of the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all,&#8221; &#8220;holy mountain.&#8221;&#8217;

The inhabitants of one will go to another and say, &#8220;Let&#8217;s go up at once to ask the favor of the <sc>Lordsc>, to seek the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all. Indeed, I&#8217;ll go with you.&#8221;&#8217;

<t /><p class="bodytext">An oracle of the word of the <sc>Lordsc> concerning the land of Hadrach,<n id="1" /> with its focus on Damascus:<n id="2" />p> <p class="bodytext">The eyes of all humanity,<n id="3" /> especially of the tribes of Israel, are toward the <sc>Lordsc>,

Ashkelon will see and be afraid; Gaza will be in great anguish, as will Ekron, for her hope will have been dried up.<n id="1" /> Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will no longer be inhabited.

<p class="bodytext">Then the <sc>Lordsc> will appear above them, and his arrow will shoot forth like lightning; the Lord <sc>Godsc> will blow the trumpet and will sally forth on the southern storm winds.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Ask the <sc>Lordsc> for rain in the season of the late spring rains<n id="1" /> &#8211; the <sc>Lordsc> who causes thunderstorms &#8211; and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field.

Those who buy them<n id="1" /> slaughter them and are not held guilty; those who sell them say, &#8216;Blessed be the <sc>Lordsc>, for I am rich.&#8217; Their own shepherds have no compassion for them.