Zechariah 2

1 Then I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line/tape.

And I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man, and in his hand a measuring line.

2 I asked him, “Where are you going?” He replied, “[I am going] to measure Jerusalem, to determine how wide it is and how long it is.”

And I said to him, Whither go you? And he said to me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth of it, and what is the length of it.

3 Then the angel who had been talking to me started to leave, and another angel walked toward him.

And, behold, the angel that spoke with me stood [by], and another angel went forth to meet him,

4 That other angel said to him, “Run and tell that young man that [some day] there will be very many people and livestock in Jerusalem, with the result that there will be too many to live inside the city walls; many will [live outside] the walls.

and spoke to him, saying, Run and speak to that young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be fully inhabited by reason of the abundance of men and cattle in the midst of her.

5 And Yahweh says that he [himself] will be [like] [MET] a wall of fire around [the city], and he will be there with his glory.”

And I will be to her, says the Lord, a wall of fire round about, and I will be for a glory in the midst of her.

6 Yahweh declares [to the people who were exiled to Babylonia], “Run! Flee from Babylonia [MTY], the country east [of Israel], and flee in all directions from the places where I caused you to be scattered!

Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, says the Lord: for I will gather you from the four winds of heaven, says the Lord,

7 You people [who previously lived in] Jerusalem and who [now] live in Babylon, flee from there!

[even] to Sion: deliver yourselves, you that dwell [with] the daughter of Babylon.

8 The [armies of the] nations that [attacked you and] took away your valuable possessions have attacked those who are very precious to the Commander of the armies of angels [IDM]. So he says this about me: ‘After I have honored him and sent him to [rebuke] the nations,

For thus says the Lord Almighty; After the glory has he sent me to the nations that spoiled you: for he that touches you is as one that touches the apple of his eye.

9 [it is as though] I will strike them with my fist, with the result that those who were their slaves will [now] take back their possessions from those who caused them to become slaves.’ And when that happens, you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels is the one who sent me.”

For, behold, I bring my hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to them that serve them: and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

10 Yahweh says, “[You people of] Jerusalem [APO], shout and be happy, [because] I will be coming [to you] and I will live among you!”

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Sion: for, behold, I come, and will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord.

11 At that time, [people of] many nations will be united to Yahweh and will become his people. He will live among [all of] you; and you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels [is the one who] sent me to you.

And many nations shall flee for refuge to the Lord in that day, and they shall be for a people to him, and they shall dwell in the midst of you: and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

12 [The people of] Judah will be a very special part of his sacred country, and Jerusalem will again be the city that he has chosen.

And the Lord shall inherit Juda his portion in the holy [land], and he will yet choose Jerusalem.

13 Everyone, [everywhere, ] should be silent in the presence of Yahweh, because he [again] will come [down] from the sacred place where he lives in heaven [to do great things for us].

Let all flesh fear before the Lord: for he has risen up from his holy clouds.