Zechariah 1:4

4 Don't be like your ancestors. In the past the prophets said to them: This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: 'Stop your evil ways and evil actions.' But they wouldn't listen or pay attention to me, says the Lord.

Zechariah 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 1:4

Be ye not as your fathers
Who lived before the captivity, and misused the prophets and messengers of the Lord, and despised his word, and fell into gross idolatry; the evil examples of parents and ancestors are not to be followed: unto whom the former prophets have cried:
such as Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others: saying, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Turn now from your evil ways,
and [from] your evil doings;
by their "evil ways" may be meant their idolatrous worship; and by their "evil doings" their immoralities; or, by both, their wicked lives and conversations, both before God and men; from whence they were exhorted by the former prophets to turn, and to reform; even "now", at that present time they prophesied to them, immediately, lest destruction come upon them: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord;
speaking by his prophets, who were sent by him, and came and spoke in his name; so that not hearing them was not hearing him who sent them, and whom they represented.

Zechariah 1:4 In-Context

2 "The Lord was very angry with your ancestors.

3 So tell the people: This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: 'Return to me, and I will return to you,' says the Lord All-Powerful.

4 Don't be like your ancestors. In the past the prophets said to them: This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: 'Stop your evil ways and evil actions.' But they wouldn't listen or pay attention to me, says the Lord.

5 Your ancestors are dead, and those prophets didn't live forever.

6 I commanded my words and laws to my servants the prophets, and they preached to your ancestors, who returned to me. They said, 'The Lord All-Powerful did as he said he would. He punished us for the way we lived and for what we did.'"