Zechariah 8:9-17

“This is what I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, have to say: Be encouraged, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies. May your hearts be brave so that the temple may be built. For up till now, there was no money to hire men or animals; neither has there been security for people to come and go because I had turned them against each other. But now, I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, will not treat the remnant of this people as I have in the past. For now they will plant in peace. Fresh dew will fall from the sky, and the soil will be fertile. Their vineyards will be lush and fruitful. I will grant the remnant of my people all these things. Judah and Jerusalem, your names have been used as curses among all the nations, but now you will become the symbol of a blessing. Yes, I will save you to be a blessing, so do not be afraid. Let your hearts be brave! “For I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, say to you: Just as I determined to bring calamity when your ancestors made me angry and I showed no pity, so now I have determined to treat Judah and Jerusalem well and make them prosperous. So do not be afraid! “Here is what you must do: Speak the truth to one another. Pursue justice in your courts, and hand down verdicts that are sound. Have no evil scheme in your hearts against one another. Do not take delight in committing perjury, for these are things that I hate, declares YAHWEH.”