Zechariah 8:7-13

7‘I will bring my people back from the east country and from the west country,’ says the Lord Almighty.

8‘I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people and I will be their God. I will do for them what I promised to do.’

9The Lord Almighty says, ‘Be strong, you people who now hear these words from the mouths of the prophets. The prophets spoke the same words when you prepared the ground for the temple of the Lord Almighty. Now be strong and continue to build.

10Before that time, there was not enough money to pay for work that men or animals did. No man was safe from the enemy because I made all men angry with each other.’

11‘But now it is different. I will not be angry with the few people that have returned,’ says the Lord Almighty.

12‘The seeds and the plants will grow well. The trees will give fruit. There will be water from the skies. I will bless the few people that will return.

13In past years, people from other countries have said bad things against you, Judah and Israel. But now I will help you. You will bless many people. Do not be afraid. Be strong.’