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Measuring Jerusalem

Then I looked up and saw a man holding a rope for measuring things. I asked him, “Where are you going?”

He said to me, “I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is.”

Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel went out to talk to him. He said to him, “Run and tell that young man this:

‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls,
    because there will be too many people and animals living there.’
The Lord says,
‘I will be a wall of fire around her, to protect her,
    and to bring glory to that city, I will live there.’”

God Calls His People Home

The Lord says,
“Hurry! Leave the land in the North in a hurry.
    Yes, it is true that I scattered your people in every direction.
You people from Zion now live in Babylon.
    Escape! Run away from that city!”
The Lord sent me to the nations that took away your wealth.
    He sent me to bring you honor.
    And this is what the Lord All-Powerful said:
“If anyone even touches you,
    it is as if they did it to the pupil of my eye.
Watch and see how I will punish them:
    Their own slaves will become their masters and take all their wealth.”
Then you will know it was the Lord All-Powerful
    who sent me to tell you these things.

10 The Lord says,
“Zion, be happy, because I am coming,
    and I will live in your city.
11 At that time people from many nations
    will come to me.
They will become my people,
    and I will live in your city.”
Then you will know it was the Lord All-Powerful
    who sent me to tell you these things.

12 The Lord will again choose Jerusalem to be his special city.
    Judah will be his share of the holy land.
13 Everyone, be quiet!
    The Lord is coming out of his holy house.

A Man With a Measuring Line

[a]Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?”

He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”(A)

While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls(B) because of the great number(C) of people and animals in it.(D) And I myself will be a wall(E) of fire(F) around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory(G) within.’(H)

“Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered(I) you to the four winds of heaven,”(J) declares the Lord.(K)

“Come, Zion! Escape,(L) you who live in Daughter Babylon!”(M) For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye(N) I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them.[b](O) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.(P)

10 “Shout(Q) and be glad, Daughter Zion.(R) For I am coming,(S) and I will live among you,”(T) declares the Lord.(U) 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people.(V) I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.(W) 12 The Lord will inherit(X) Judah(Y) as his portion in the holy land and will again choose(Z) Jerusalem. 13 Be still(AA) before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 2:1 In Hebrew texts 2:1-13 is numbered 2:5-17.
  2. Zechariah 2:9 Or says after … eye: “I … plunder them.”