Eighth Vision: Four Chariots
6 And again I looked up and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses, 3 the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled grey[a] horses. 4 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ 5 The angel answered me, ‘These are the four winds[b] of heaven going out, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The chariot with the black horses goes towards the north country, the white ones go towards the west country,[c] and the dappled ones go towards the south country.’ 7 When the steeds came out, they were impatient to get off and patrol the earth. And he said, ‘Go, patrol the earth.’ So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then he cried out to me, ‘Lo, those who go towards the north country have set my spirit at rest in the north country.’
The Coronation of the Branch
9 The word of the Lord came to me: 10 Collect silver and gold[d] from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah—who have arrived from Babylon; and go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown,[e] and set it on the head of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak; 12 say to him: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Here is a man whose name is Branch: for he shall branch out in his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he that shall build the temple of the Lord; he shall bear royal honour, and shall sit and rule on his throne. There shall be a priest by his throne, with peaceful understanding between the two of them. 14 And the crown[f] shall be in the care of Heldai,[g] Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah[h] son of Zephaniah, as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.
15 Those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord; and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Footnotes
- Zechariah 6:3 Compare Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Zechariah 6:5 Or spirits
- Zechariah 6:6 Cn: Heb go after them
- Zechariah 6:10 Cn Compare verse 11: Heb lacks silver and gold
- Zechariah 6:11 Gk Mss Syr Tg: Heb crowns
- Zechariah 6:14 Gk Syr: Heb crowns
- Zechariah 6:14 Syr Compare verse 10: Heb Helem
- Zechariah 6:14 Syr Compare verse 10: Heb Hen