Zechariah 8:9-15

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.’

14The Lord Almighty says this: ‘When your parents and their parents made me angry, I decided to punish them.’ ‘I have also punished you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

15‘Do not be afraid. I have now decided to do good things to Jerusalem and to the people in Judah again.