The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 Once again I looked up - another strange sight! Four chariots charging out from between two mountains. The mountains were bronze.
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Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains.
2 The first chariot was drawn by red horses, the second chariot by black horses,
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The first chariot was pulled by red horses, the second by black horses,
3 the third chariot by white horses, and the fourth chariot by dappled horses. All the horses were powerful.
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the third by white horses, and the fourth by powerful dappled-gray horses.
4 I asked the Messenger-Angel, "Sir, what's the meaning here?"
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“And what are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was talking with me.
5 The angel answered, "These are the four winds of heaven, which originate with the Master of the whole earth.
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The angel replied, “These are the four spirits of heaven who stand before the Lord of all the earth. They are going out to do his work.
6 The black horses are headed north with the white ones right after them. The dappled horses are headed south."
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The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west, and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south.”
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.
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The powerful horses were eager to set out to patrol the earth. And the LORD said, “Go and patrol the earth!” So they left at once on their patrol.
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."
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Then the LORD summoned me and said, “Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit there in the land of the north.”
9 Then this Message from God came to me:
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Then I received another message from the LORD :
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.
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“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
11 Collect silver and gold from them and fashion crowns. Place one on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest,
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Accept their gifts, and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 and give him this message:
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Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD .
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.'
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Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD . Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’
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.
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“The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of the LORD to honor those who gave it—Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah.”
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"
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People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the LORD . And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what the LORD your God says.
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.