Zechariah 8:13

13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse^[a] among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing.^[b] Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

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Zechariah 8:13 in Other Translations

KJV

13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

ESV

13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong."

NLT

13 Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

MSG

13 You've gotten a reputation as a bad-news people, you people of Judah and Israel, but I'm coming to save you. From now on, you're the good-news people. Don't be afraid. Keep a firm grip on what I'm doing." Keep Your Lives Simple and Honest

CSB

13 As you have been a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Don't be afraid; let your hands be strong."

Zechariah 8:13 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 8:13

And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among
the heathen
Reproached, vilified, and called accursed by them; see ( Jeremiah 24:9 ) as true Christians, and real believers in Christ, are by the men of this world, ( 1 Corinthians 4:12 1 Corinthians 4:13 ) : O house of Judah, and house of Israel;
both being carried captive at different times, and were typical of the true and Spiritual Israel of God: so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing;
be blessed in themselves with the above blessings of plenty and prosperity in outward things; see ( Haggai 2:19 ) and a blessing to others, and blessed by them; and all those who are saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation are blessed with all spiritual blessings in him: fear not;
neither their enemies, nor the accomplishment of these promises: [but] let your hands be strong;
as in ( Zechariah 8:9 ) .

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Zechariah 8:13 In-Context

11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the LORD Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

14 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the LORD Almighty,

15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.

Cross References 5

1. S Numbers 5:27; S Deuteronomy 13:15; S Psalms 102:8; Jeremiah 42:18
2. S Psalms 48:8
3. S Genesis 12:2; S Joel 2:14
4. S Haggai 2:5
5. ver 9

Footnotes 2

[a]. That is, your name has been used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, you have been regarded as under a curse.
[b]. Or "and your name will be used in blessings" (see Gen. 48:20); or "and you will be seen as blessed"