8:1 Again the Dvar YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot came [to me], saying:
8:2 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"I was Jealous for Tzyon with great Jealousy, and I was Jealous for her with great fury."
8:3 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה):
"I am returned unto Tzyon, and will dwell in the midst of Yerushalayim: and Yerushalayim shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot the set apart mountain."
8:4 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Yerushalayim, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. "
8:6 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?"saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot.
8:7 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"Hinnei, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country;"
8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Yerushalayim: and they shall be My people, and I will be their Elohim (אלהים), in truth and in righteousness.
8:9 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"Let your hands be strong, ye that shema in these days these Devarim by the mouth of ha Neviim, which [were] in the day [that] the yesod (foundation) of ha bayit YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot was laid, that the temple might be built.
8:10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour."
8:11 But now I [will] not [be] unto the residue of this people as in the former days." saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot.
8:12 For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].
8:13 And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the goyim, O bayit of Yehudah, and bayit of Yisrael; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong.
8:14 For thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"As I thought to punish you, when your avot provoked me to wrath, saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot, and I repented not:
8:15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Yerushalayim and to ha bayit Yehudah: "fear ye not."
8:16 These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; shafat (Execute) the misphat of Emet (truth) and Shalom in your gates:
8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these [are things] that I hate, saith YHWH (יהוה).
Description of future Yerushalayim and its role
8:18 And the Dvar YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot came unto me, saying:
8:19 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to ha bayit Yehudah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
8:20 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"[It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
8:21 And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before YHWH (יהוה), and to seek YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot: I will go also.
8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot in Yerushalayim, and to pray before YHWH (יהוה).
8:23 Thus saith YHWH (יהוה) Tzva'ot:
"In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Yehudah, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] Elohim (אלהים) [is] with you."