On that day’ #– #this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies #– #‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant’ #– #this is the Lord’s declaration #– #‘and make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.’ This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall face down at your feet. They will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
The Lord of Armies says this: ‘In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’
At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. The Lord has spoken.
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that is your possession. They live alone in a woodland surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in ancient times.
‘I will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands where I have banished them, and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous.
He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for then his greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
Nations, hear the word of the Lord, and tell it among the far off coasts and islands! Say, ‘The one who scattered Israel will gather him. He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock,
I will strengthen the house of Judah and deliver the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had never rejected them. For I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.
The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of Israel’s sons. Each stone must be engraved like a seal, with one of the names of the twelve tribes.
As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and total darkness.