Zacharie 8:12-22

12 Car la semence prospérera, la vigne rendra son fruit; la terre donnera son produit; les cieux donneront leur rosée, et je mettrai les restes de ce peuple en possession de toutes ces choses-là.

13 Et comme vous avez été en malédiction parmi les nations, ô maison de Juda et maison d'Israël, ainsi je vous délivrerai, et vous serez en bénédiction. Ne craignez point, et que vos mains se fortifient!

14 Car ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Comme j'ai résolu de vous faire du mal, quand vos pères ont provoqué mon indignation, dit l'Éternel des armées, et que je ne m'en suis point repenti,

15 Ainsi j'ai résolu au contraire, en ces jours-ci, de faire du bien à Jérusalem et à la maison de Juda. Ne craignez point!

16 Voici les choses que vous devez faire: Dites la vérité, chacun à son prochain; rendez la justice dans vos portes, selon la vérité et pour la paix.

17 Et ne méditez point dans vos cœurs le mal l'un contre l'autre, et n'aimez point les faux serments, toutes ces choses que je hais, dit l'Éternel.

18 La parole de l'Éternel des armées me fut adressée, en ces mots:

19 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Le jeûne du quatrième mois, le jeûne du cinquième, le jeûne du septième, et le jeûne du dixième mois deviendront pour la maison de Juda des jours de joie et d'allégresse, et des solennités heureuses. Mais aimez la vérité et la paix.

20 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Il viendra encore des peuples et des habitants de plusieurs villes;

21 Et les habitants de l'une iront à l'autre, et diront: Allons, allons supplier l'Éternel, et rechercher l'Éternel des armées! Je veux y aller, moi aussi!

22 Et plusieurs peuples et de puissantes nations viendront chercher l'Éternel des armées à Jérusalem, et y supplier l'Éternel.

Zacharie 8:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 8

This chapter contains promises of various blessings to the people of the Jews; and exhortations to each of the duties incumbent on them; and is concluded with a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. The cause of all the blessings promised is the love of God to them, signified by zeal, or jealousy for them, Zec 8:1,2. The blessings promised are the Lord's return to dwell in Jerusalem, and the integrity and holiness of that city, Zec 8:3. The long life of the inhabitants of it, and the plenty of children that should be born in it, Zec 8:4,5 and, however wonderful and incredible this might seem to some, it was not to the Lord, who was determined to bring his people that were in various distant countries to Jerusalem, and settle them there; and renew and reestablish his covenant with them, Zec 8:6-8 wherefore the Lord encourages them to go on in rebuilding the temple, Zec 8:9 and promises them that things would be better with them than in times past; that whereas there had been nothing but penury, affliction, and distress, now there should be great affluence and prosperity, Zec 8:10-12 and though before they were a curse among the nations, now they should be a blessing; and though their fathers were punished, they should be dealt well with, Zec 8:13-15 and then they are exhorted to the discharge of several duties mentioned, to which they are induced by the Lord's hatred of that which is evil, and by his turning their fasts into cheerful feasts. Zec 8:16-19 to which is added a prophecy of the calling and conversion of the Gentiles, which would make for the glory of the Jewish church; who are described by their numbers, being many people, and the inhabitants of many cities; by their association together, to pray to the Lord, and worship him; by their coming up to Jerusalem for that purpose; and by their junction with the Jews, to which they will be encouraged by having heard that God is with them, Zec 8:20-23.