Zechariah 6
1 I looked up again, and [in the vision] I saw four chariots coming toward me. [They were coming] between two mountains [that were made] of bronze.
Again I looked up, and saw four chariots come from between two mountains. The mountains were mountains of bronze.
2 The first chariot [was pulled by] red horses, the second chariot [was pulled by] black horses,
The first chariot had red horses. The second chariot had black horses,
3 the third chariot [was pulled by] white horses, and the fourth chariot [was pulled by] spotted gray horses. They were all very strong horses.
the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses.
4 I asked the angel who had been speaking to me, “Sir, what do those chariots mean?”
Then I said to the messenger who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’
5 The angel replied, “They have come from standing in the presence of the Lord who controls/rules the entire earth. They will go across the sky in four directions.
The messenger answered me, ‘These are the four winds of heaven going out after standing before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The chariot [pulled by] black horses will go north, the [one pulled by] white horses will go west, the one [pulled by] spotted gray horses will go south.”
The black horses are going toward the north country and the white toward the west and the dappled toward the south country.’
7 When those powerful horses left, their [chariot-drivers] were eager to go throughout the world. [As they were leaving, ] the angel said to them, “Go throughout the world [and see what is happening]!” So that is what they did.
The strong horses came out, and were impatient to patrol the earth. So he said, ‘Go, patrol the earth,’ and they did so.
8 Then the angel called to me [and said], “Look/Listen, the [drivers of the] chariots that have gone north will do what the Spirit [of Yahweh wants them to do] there.”
Then he cried out to me, ‘The horses that went to the north country will quiet my spirit in the north country.’
9 Then Yahweh gave me [another] message.
Now this message of the Lord came to me:
10 He said, “Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will be bringing some silver and gold from the people who were (exiled in/forced to go to) Babylon. As soon as they arrive, go to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
Take the gifts from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah who have come from Babylon and go at once to Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
11 Take [some of that] silver and gold from them and make a crown. Then put it on the head of Jehozadak’s son Joshua, the Supreme Priest.
Take their silver and gold and make a crown and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak.
12 Tell him that [I], the Commander of the armies of angels, say that the man who is called the Branch will come. He will leave the place where he is now, and he will [supervise those who] build my temple.
Tell him: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, the man whose name is the Branch. He will branch out from his place and rebuild the temple of the Lord.
13 He is the one who [will tell those who] will build my temple [what to do]. He will wear royal clothing and he will sit on his throne and rule. There will also be a priest [sitting] next to his throne, and the two of them will work together harmoniously.
He will rebuild the temple and will sit and rule upon his throne, receiving the honour due to a king. A priest will stand by his throne and they will work together in peace and harmony.
14 The crown must be [kept] in my temple to remind people of what Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah [did for them].
The crown will be a memorial in the temple of the Lord for Heldai and Tobijah and Jedaiah, and Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
15 People who are [living] far away will come and [help to] build my temple. When that happens, the people will know that [I], the Commander of the armies of angels, have sent you to them. [That will happen] if they faithfully obey me, Yahweh, your/their God.”
People from far away will come and build in the temple of the Lord and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.’
