Zechariah 1:16

King James Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord ; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So the Lord says, "I will come back to Jerusalem and comfort her." The Lord All-Powerful says, "Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and my house will be built there."

New American Standard Bible
'Therefore the LORD says this: "I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it," declares the LORD of armies, "and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem."'

New Century Version
"So this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy. My Temple will be rebuilt,' says the Lord All-Powerful, ‘and the measuring line will be used to rebuild Jerusalem.'

Update Bible Version
Therefore thus says Yahweh: I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, says Yahweh of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
'Therefore, thus says the LORD, "I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy and compassion. My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of hosts, "and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem."'

English Standard Version
Therefore, thus says the Lord , I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.

World English Bible
Therefore thus says Yahweh: "I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My house shall be built in it," says Yahweh of Hosts, "and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem."'

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor the Lord seith these thingis, Y schal turne ayen to Jerusalem in mercies. Myn hous schal be bildid in it, seith the Lord of oostis; and a plomet schal be streiyt out on Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus saith the LORD: I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt, declares the LORD of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.'

Contemporary English Version
And so, I will have pity on Jerusalem. The city will be completely rebuilt, and my temple will stand again.

American Standard Version
Therefore thus saith Jehovah: I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, saith Jehovah of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

Bible in Basic English
So this is what the Lord has said: I have come back to Jerusalem with mercies; my house is to be put up in her, says the Lord of armies, and a line is to be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore Adonai says, ‘I will return to Yerushalayim with merciful deeds. My house will be rebuilt there,' says Adonai -Tzva'ot; ‘yes, a measuring line will be stretched out over Yerushalayim.'

Darby Translation
Therefore thus saith Jehovah: I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith Jehovah of hosts, and the line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Therefore thus saith the LORD: I return to Jerusalem with compassions: My house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

King James Version (1611)
Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Ierusalem with mercies: my house shall bee built in it, saith the Lord of hostes, and a line shalbe stretched forth vpon Ierusalem.

New Living Translation
"‘Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.'

New Life Bible
So the Lord says, "I will return to Jerusalem with loving-pity. My house will be built in it and all Jerusalem will be built again," says the Lord of All.

New Revised Standard
Therefore, thus says the Lord , I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore thus saith the Lord, I wil returne vnto Ierusalem with tender mercie: mine house shall be builded in it, saith the Lord of hostes, and a line shall be stretched vpon Ierusalem.

George Lamsa Translation
Therefore thus says the LORD: I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wherefore, Thus, saith Yahweh, I have returned to Jerusalem, with compassions,, My house, shall be built therein, declareth Yahweh of hosts, and, a line, shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord: I will return to Jerusalem in mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts: and the building line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Revised Standard Version
Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore thus saith the Lorde: I wyl returne vnto Hierusalem in tender mercie, so that my house shalbe builded in it, saith the Lorde of hoastes: yea, and the lyne shalbe stretched vpon Hierusale

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Therefore thus saith the Lord: I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; and my house shall be rebuilt in her, saith the Lord Almighty, and a measuring line shall yet be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
So I have come back to Jerusalem to show mercy to the city. My Temple will be restored, and the city will be rebuilt."

Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore, this is what the Lord says: In mercy, I have returned to Jerusalem; my house will be rebuilt within it—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore thus says the LORD: "I have returned to Yerushalayim with mercy. My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of Hosts, "and a line shall be stretched forth over Yerushalayim."'

Lexham English Bible
Therefore, thus says Yahweh: "I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion. My temple will be built in it," declares Yahweh of hosts, "and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem."'

Literal Translation
So Jehovah says this: I have returned to Jerusalem with compassions; My house shall be built in it, says Jehovah of Hosts, and a line shall be stretched over Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, thus said Jehovah: I have turned to Jerusalem with mercies, My house is built in it, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, And a line is stretched over Jerusalem.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Therfore thus saieth the LORDE: I wil turne me agayne in mercy towarde Ierusalem, so that my house shalbe buylded in it, saieth the LORDE of hoostes: yee and the plommet shal be layed abrode in Ierusalem, saieth the LORDE of hoostes.

THE MESSAGE
"‘I've come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time.' This is God speaking. ‘I'll see to it that my Temple is rebuilt.' A Decree of God -of-the-Angel-Armies! ‘The rebuilding operation is already staked out.' Say it again—a Decree of God -of-the-Angel-Armies: ‘My cities will prosper again, God will comfort Zion again, Jerusalem will be back in my favor again.'"

New English Translation
"‘Therefore,' says the Lord , ‘I have become compassionate toward Jerusalem and will rebuild my temple in it,' says the Lord who rules over all. ‘Once more a surveyor's measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.'

New King James Version
"Therefore thus says the LORD: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of hosts, "And a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem."'

New American Standard Bible (1995)
'Therefore thus says the LORD, "I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it," declares the LORD of hosts, "and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem."'

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore thus says Yahweh, "I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it," declares Yahweh of hosts, "and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem."'

Contextual Overview

⁷ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, ⁸ I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. ⁹ Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. ¹⁰ And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. ¹¹ And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. ¹² Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? ¹³ And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. ¹⁴ So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. ¹⁵ And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. ¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lord ; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I am: Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:3, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 54:8-10, Jeremiah 31:22-25, Jeremiah 33:10-12, Ezekiel 37:24-28, Ezekiel 39:25-29, Ezekiel 48:35

my house: Zechariah 4:9, Ezra 6:14, Ezra 6:15, Isaiah 44:26-28, Haggai 1:14

and: Zechariah 2:1, Zechariah 2:2, Job 38:5, Isaiah 34:11, Jeremiah 31:39, Jeremiah 31:40, Ezekiel 40:3, Ezekiel 47:3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:49 - cause 2 Kings 21:13 - I will stretch 2 Chronicles 6:39 - cause Psalms 85:1 - Lord Psalms 90:13 - Return Proverbs 24:18 - and he Isaiah 21:2 - all the Isaiah 30:19 - dwell Jeremiah 30:18 - the palace Jeremiah 50:33 - and all Lamentations 3:35 - turn Hosea 3:1 - according Zechariah 2:8 - After Zechariah 12:6 - Jerusalem shall

Cross-References

Genesis 1:7
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

Genesis 1:8
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Genesis 1:9
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Genesis 1:12
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Job 31:26
If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;

Job 38:7
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Psalms 8:3
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Psalms 19:6
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies,.... Having returned the people of the Jews from their captivity to Jerusalem, in which he had shown abundant mercy to them:

my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts; meaning the temple where he dwelt and was worshipped; the foundation of which had been laid two months before this prophecy was delivered, Haggai 2:18 and which should be raised up and finished, notwithstanding all the opposition of the enemy, and the discouragements of the people:

and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem; to measure with it, and build by it, the wall, streets, and houses of Jerusalem. The meaning is, that not only the temple should be built, but the city likewise, and that in great order, and with great exactness and symmetry; see Zechariah 2:1. The Targum paraphrases it, "upon the building of the walls of Jerusalem".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore - This being so, since God was so jealous for His people, so displeased with their persecutors, “thus saith the Lord,” Dionysius, “I who “in wrath remember mercy, am returned” Habakkuk 3:2, not by change of place, who am uncircumscribed, not existing in place, to the people of Judah and Jerusalem in mercies, manifoldly benefiting them by various effects of My love.” The single benefits, the rebuilding of His House, and so the restoration of His public worship, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, are but instances of that all-containing mercy, His restored presence in tender mercies. “I am returned,” God says, although the effects of His return were yet to come.

A line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem - Before, when it stood, this had been done to destroy 2 Kings 21:13; Isaiah 34:11; now, when destroyed, to rebuild .

Osorius: “The temple was built then, when the foundations of the walls were not yet laid. In man’s sight it would have seemed more provident that the walls should be first builded, that then the temple might be builded more securely. To God, in whom alone is the most firm stay of our life and salvation, it seemed otherwise. For it cannot be that he, to whom nothing is dearer fhan zeal for the most holy religion, should be forsaken of His help.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 16. I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies — Before, he came to them in judgments; and the principal mercy is, the house of the Lord shall be rebuilt, and the ordinances of' the Lord re-established.

And a line shall be stretched forth — The circuit shall be determined, and the city built according to the line marked out.