Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep.
1
The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.
2 He said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I have seen, and, behold, a menorah all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it;
2
He said, "What do you see?"
3 and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it."
3
And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl."
4 I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?"
4
Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, "What does this mean, sir?"
5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
5
The Messenger-Angel said, "Can't you tell?" "No, sir," I said.
6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbavel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD of Hosts.
6
"This is God's Message to Zerubbabel: 'You can't force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,' says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
7 Who are you, great mountain? before Zerubbavel [you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'"
7
'So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you're nothing but a molehill. He'll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!'"
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
8
After that, the Word of God came to me:
9 "The hands of Zerubbavel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.
9
"Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you.
10 Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbavel. These are the eyes of the LORD, which run back and forth through the whole eretz."
10
Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They'll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!"
11 Then I asked him, "What are these two olive trees on the right side of the menorah and on the left side of it?"
11
"And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?" I asked. "What's the meaning of them?
12 I asked him the second time, "What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that pour the golden oil out of themselves?"
12
And while you're at it, the two branches of the olive trees that feed oil to the lamps - what do they mean?"
13 He answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
13
He said, "You haven't figured that out?" I said, "No, sir."
14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole eretz."
14
He said, "These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide."
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.