Zechariah 9

The Lord Destroys Israel’s Enemies 1This is a prophecy. It is the LORD ’s message against the land of Hadrak. He will judge Damascus. That’s because all the tribes of Israel look to him. So do all other people.

2The LORD will judge Hamath too. It’s next to Damascus. He will also punish Tyre and Sidon even though they are very clever.

3Tyre’s people have built a fort for themselves. They’ve piled up silver like dust. They have as much gold as the dirt in the streets.

4But the Lord will take away everything they have. He’ll destroy their power on the Mediterranean Sea. And Tyre will be completely burned up.

5Ashkelon will see it and become afraid. Gaza will groan with pain. So will Ekron. Its hope will vanish. Gaza will no longer have a king. Ashkelon will be deserted.

6A people who come from several nations will take over Ashdod. The LORD says, “I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.

7They will no longer drink the blood of their animal sacrifices. I will remove the ‘unclean’ food from between their teeth. The Philistines who are left will belong to our God. They will become a family group in Judah. And Ekron will be like the Jebusites. So the Philistines will become part of Israel.

8But I will camp at my temple. I will guard it against enemy armies. No one will ever crush my people again. I will make sure it does not happen.

A King Comes to Zion 9“City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has won the victory. He is humble and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey’s colt.

10I will take the chariots away from Ephraim. I will remove the war horses from Jerusalem. I will break the bows that are used in battle. Your king will announce peace to the nations. He will rule from ocean to ocean. His kingdom will reach from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

11I will set your prisoners free from where their enemies are keeping them. I will do it because of the blood that put into effect my covenant with you.

12Return to your place of safety, you prisoners who still have hope. Even now I announce that I will give you back much more than you had before.

13I will bend Judah as I bend my bow. I will make Ephraim’s people my arrows. Zion, I will stir up your sons. Greece, they will attack your sons. My people, I will use you as my sword.”

The Lord Will Appear 14Then the LORD will appear over his people. His arrows will flash like lightning. The LORD and King will blow the trumpet of his thunder. He’ll march out like a storm in the south.

15The LORD who rules over all will be like a shield to his people. They will destroy their enemies. They’ll use slings to throw stones at them. They’ll drink the blood of their enemies as if it were wine. They’ll be full like the bowl that is used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.

16The LORD their God will save his people on that day. He will be like a shepherd who saves his flock. They will gleam in his land like jewels in a crown. 17How very beautiful they will be! Grain and fresh wine will make the young men and young women strong.