The Restoration of Zion

(Zechariah 8:1–23)

6“On that day,” declares the LORD,

“I will gather the lame;

I will assemble the outcast,

even those whom I have afflicted.

7And I will make the lame into a remnant,

and the outcast into a strong nation.

Then the LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion

from that day and forever.

8And you, O watchtower of the flock,

O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion—

the former dominion will be restored to you;

sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.”

9Why do you now cry aloud?

Is there no king among you?

Has your counselor perished

so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor?

10Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion,

like a woman in labor.

For now you will leave the city

and camp in the open fields.

You will go to Babylon;

there you will be rescued;

there the LORD will redeem you

from the hand of your enemies!

11But now many nations

have assembled against you,

saying, “Let her be defiled,

and let us feast our eyes on Zion.”

12But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD

or understand His plan,

for He has gathered them

like sheaves to the threshing floor.

13Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion,

for I will give you horns of iron

and hooves of bronze

to break to pieces many peoples.

Then you will devote their gain to the LORD,

their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.