The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.
1
Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep.
2 He said, "What do you see?"
2
“What do you see now?” he asked. I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks.
3 And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl."
3
And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.”
4 Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, "What does this mean, sir?"
4
Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?”
5 The Messenger-Angel said, "Can't you tell?" "No, sir," I said.
5
“Don’t you know?” the angel asked. “No, my lord,” I replied.
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.
6
Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
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!'"
7
Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’ ”
8 After that, the Word of God came to me:
8
Then another message came to me from the LORD :
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.
9
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
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!"
10
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.)
11 "And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?" I asked. "What's the meaning of them?
11
Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand,
12 And while you're at it, the two branches of the olive trees that feed oil to the lamps - what do they mean?"
12
and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”
13 He said, "You haven't figured that out?" I said, "No, sir."
13
“Don’t you know?” he asked. “No, my lord,” I replied.
14 He said, "These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide."
14
Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.