Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
1
Once again I looked up - another strange sight! Four chariots charging out from between two mountains. The mountains were bronze.
2 In the first chariot were red horses; in the second chariot black horses;
2
The first chariot was drawn by red horses, the second chariot by black horses,
3 in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot dappled horses, all of them powerful.
3
the third chariot by white horses, and the fourth chariot by dappled horses. All the horses were powerful.
4 Then I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"
4
I asked the Messenger-Angel, "Sir, what's the meaning here?"
5 The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the eretz.
5
The angel answered, "These are the four winds of heaven, which originate with the Master of the whole earth.
6 The one with the black horses goes out toward the north country; and the white went out after them; and the dappled went forth toward the south country."
6
The black horses are headed north with the white ones right after them. The dappled horses are headed south."
7 The strong went out, and sought to go that they might walk back and forth through the eretz: and he said, "Go around and through the eretz!" So they walked back and forth through the eretz.
7
The powerful horses galloped out, bursting with energy, eager to patrol through the earth. The Messenger-Angel commanded: "On your way! Survey the earth!" and they were off in every direction.
8 Then he called to me, and spoke to me, saying, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."
8
Then he called to me and said, "Look at them go! The ones going north are conveying a sense of my Spirit, serene and secure. No more trouble from that direction."
9 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
9
Then this Message from God came to me:
10 "Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Toviyah, and of Yedayah; and come the same day, and go into the house of Yoshiyahu the son of Tzefanyah, where they have come from Bavel.
10
"Take up a collection from the exiles. Target Heldai, Tobiah, and Jedaiah. They've just arrived from Babylon. You'll find them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
11 Yes, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the head of Yehoshua the son of Yehotzadak, the Kohen Gadol;
11
Collect silver and gold from them and fashion crowns. Place one on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest,
12 and speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of Hosts, "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of the LORD;
12
and give him this message:
13 even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a Kohen on his throne; and the counsel of shalom shall be between them both.
13
Yes, he's the one. He'll build the Temple of God. Then he'll assume the role of royalty, take his place on the throne and rule - a priest sitting on the throne! - showing that king and priest can coexist in harmony.'
14 The crowns shall be to Helem, and to Toviyah, and to Yedayah, and to Hen the son of Tzefanyah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
14
"The other crown will be in the Temple of God as a symbol of royalty, under the custodial care of Helem, Tobiah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah.
15 Those who are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD; and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. This will happen, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."'"
15
"People will come from faraway places to pitch in and rebuild the Temple of God. This will confirm that God-of-the-Angel-Armies did, in fact, send me to you. All this follows as you put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God." "You're Interested in Religion, I'm Interested in People"
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.