New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.
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The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.
2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.
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He said, "What do you see?"
3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
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And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl."
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
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Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, "What does this mean, sir?"
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.
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The Messenger-Angel said, "Can't you tell?" "No, sir," I said.
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
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"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 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ”
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'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 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
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After that, the Word of God came to me:
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
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"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 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
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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 the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
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"And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?" I asked. "What's the meaning of them?
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
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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 replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said.
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He said, "You haven't figured that out?" I said, "No, sir."
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
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He said, "These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.