Zechariah 1:12–17

The Lord Will Comfort Zion

12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, nhow long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry othese seventy years?”

13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with pgood and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, 2“Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“I am qzealous 3for Jerusalem

And for Zion with great 4zeal.

15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;

For rI was a little angry,

And they helped—but with evil intent.”

16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord:

s“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;

My thouse ushall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts,

“And va surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’

17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“My cities shall again 5spread out through prosperity;

wThe Lord will again comfort Zion,

And xwill again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”