Lectionary Calendar
Monday, November 25th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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New Living Translation

Zechariah 1:4

Don't be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.'

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Example;   Impenitence;   The Topic Concordance - Disobedience;   Hearing;   Rendering;   Servants;   Turning;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ancestors;   Apocalyptic literature;   Zechariah, book of;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Convert, Conversion;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Zechariah, the Book of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Zechariah, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Apocalyptic Literature;   Zechariah, Book of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Zechariah, Prophecy of;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ezekiel;   Joshua (3);   Zechariah, Book of;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
"Don't be like your ancestors. In the past the prophets spoke to them and said, ‘The Lord All-Powerful wants you to change your evil way of living. Stop doing evil things!' But your ancestors did not listen to me." This is what the Lord said.
New American Standard Bible
"Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, 'This is what the LORD of armies says: "Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds."' But they did not listen or pay attention to Me," declares the LORD.
New Century Version
Don't be like your ancestors. In the past the prophets said to them: This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: ‘Stop your evil ways and evil actions.' But they wouldn't listen or pay attention to me, says the Lord .
Update Bible Version
Don't be as your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus says Yahweh of hosts, Return now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor listen to me, says Yahweh.
Webster's Bible Translation
Be ye not as your fathers, to whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken to me, saith the LORD.
Amplified Bible
"Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Repent [that is, change your way of thinking] and return now from your evil way [of life] and from your evil deeds."' But they did not listen or pay attention to Me," declares the LORD.
English Standard Version
Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord .
World English Bible
Don't you be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: Thus says Yahweh of hosts, 'Return now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings;' but they did not hear, nor listen to me, says Yahweh.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Be ye not as youre fadris, to whiche the formere profetis crieden, seiynge, The Lord of oostis seith these thingis, Be ye conuertid fro youre yuel weies, and youre worste thouytis; and thei herden not, nether token tent to me, seith the Lord of oostis.
English Revised Version
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Return ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.' But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.
Contemporary English Version
Don't be stubborn like your ancestors. They were warned by the earlier prophets to give up their evil and turn back to me, but they paid no attention.
American Standard Version
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Return ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith Jehovah.
Bible in Basic English
Be not like your fathers, to whom the voice of the earlier prophets came, saying, Be turned now from your evil ways and from your evil doings: but they did not give ear to me or take note, says the Lord.
Complete Jewish Bible
"Don't be like your ancestors. The earlier prophets proclaimed to them, ‘ Adonai -Tzva'ot says to turn back now from your evil ways and deeds'; but they didn't listen or pay attention to me," says Adonai .
Darby Translation
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings; but they did not hearken nor attend unto me, saith Jehovah.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Return ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings; but they did not hear, nor attend unto Me, saith the LORD.
King James Version (1611)
Be ye not as your fathers, vnto whom the former Prophets haue cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hostes, Turne ye now from your euill wayes, and from your euil doings: but they did not heare, nor hearken vnto me, saith the Lord.
New Life Bible
Do not be like your fathers. The men who spoke for Me in the past told them, ‘The Lord of All says, "Return from your sinful ways and from your sinful works."' But they did not listen to Me," says the Lord.
New Revised Standard
Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds." But they did not hear or heed me, says the Lord .
Geneva Bible (1587)
Be ye not as your fathers, vnto whome the former prophets haue cried, saying, Thus sayth the Lord of hostes, Turne you nowe from your euill wayes, and from your wicked workes: but they would not heare, nor hearken vnto me, saith the Lorde.
George Lamsa Translation
Be not like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil doings; but they did not listen, nor give ear to me, says the LORD.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Do not become like your fathers, unto whom the former prophets, proclaimed, saying, Thus, saith Yahweh of hosts, Return, I pray you, from your wicked ways, and from your wicked practices; but they heard not, nor hearkened unto me, declareth Yahweh.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be not as your fathers, to whom the former prophets have cried, saying: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Turn ye from your evil ways, and from your wicked thoughts: but they did not give ear, neither did they hearken to me, saith the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Be not like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or heed me, says the LORD.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Be ye not like your forefathers, vnto whom prophetes cryed, saying, thus sayth the Lorde of hoastes, Turne you from your euyl wayes, and from your wicked imaginations: But they woulde not heare nor regarde me, sayth the Lorde.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And be ye not as your fathers, whom the prophets before charged, saying, Thus saith the Lord Almighty: Turn ye from your evil ways, and from your evil practices: but they hearkened not, and attended not to hearken to me, saith the Lord.
Good News Translation
Do not be like your ancestors. Long ago the prophets gave them my message, telling them not to live evil, sinful lives any longer. But they would not listen to me or obey me.
Christian Standard Bible®
Do not be like your ancestors; the earlier prophets proclaimed to them: This is what the Lord of Armies says: Turn from your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they did not listen or pay attention to me—this is the Lord’s declaration.
Hebrew Names Version
Don't you be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Return now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings;' but they did not hear, nor listen to me, says the LORD.
King James Version
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord .
Lexham English Bible
"Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts: "Return from your evil ways and your evil deeds!"' But they did not hear and they did not pay attention to me," declares Yahweh.
Literal Translation
Do not be as your fathers, to whom the former prophets have proclaimed to them, saying, So says Jehovah of Hosts: Turn back now from your evil ways and your evil doings. But they did not hear or pay attention to Me, says Jehovah.
Young's Literal Translation
Ye shall not be as your fathers, To whom the former prophets called, saying: Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, Turn back I pray you, From your evil ways and from your evil doings, And they did not hearken, Nor attend to Me -- an affirmation of Jehovah.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Be not ye like youre forefathers, vnto whom the prophetes cried a fore tyme, sayege: Thus saieth the LORDE God of hoostes: Turne you from youre euell wayes, & from youre wicked ymaginacions. But they wolde not heare, ner regarde me, saieth the LORDE.
New English Translation
"Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets called out, saying, ‘The Lord who rules over all says, "Turn now from your evil wickedness,"' but they would by no means obey me," says the Lord .
New King James Version
"Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds."' But they did not hear nor heed Me," says the LORD.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds."' But they did not listen or give heed to Me," declares the LORD.
Legacy Standard Bible
"Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets called out, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts, "Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds."' But they did not listen or give heed to Me," declares Yahweh.

Contextual Overview

1 In November of the second year of King Darius's reign, the Lord gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo: 2 "I, the Lord , was very angry with your ancestors. 3 Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.' 4 Don't be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.' 5 "Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. 6 But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven's Armies. He has done what he said he would do.'"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

as: 2 Chronicles 29:6-10, 2 Chronicles 30:7, 2 Chronicles 34:21, Ezra 9:7, Nehemiah 9:16, Psalms 78:8, Psalms 106:6, Psalms 106:7, Ezekiel 18:14-17, 1 Peter 1:18

unto: Zechariah 7:11-13, 2 Chronicles 24:19-22, 2 Chronicles 36:15, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 9:26, Nehemiah 9:30, Isaiah 30:9-11, Jeremiah 6:16, Jeremiah 6:17, Jeremiah 13:16-18, Jeremiah 17:19-23, Jeremiah 25:3-7, Jeremiah 35:15, Jeremiah 36:2, Jeremiah 36:3-10, Jeremiah 44:4, Jeremiah 44:5, Ezekiel 3:7-9, Micah 2:6, Acts 7:51, Acts 7:52, 1 Thessalonians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:16

Turn: Zechariah 1:3, Isaiah 1:16-19, Isaiah 31:6, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 7:3-7, Jeremiah 18:11, Ezekiel 18:30-32, Ezekiel 33:11, Hosea 14:1, Amos 5:13-15, Amos 5:24, Matthew 3:8-10, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20

but: Jeremiah 11:6-8, Jeremiah 13:9, Jeremiah 13:10, Jeremiah 26:5, Jeremiah 36:23, Jeremiah 36:24, Jeremiah 44:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:38 - and the dogs 2 Kings 14:3 - he did according 2 Chronicles 33:10 - General 2 Chronicles 36:21 - To fulfil Ezra 5:1 - in the name Nehemiah 13:18 - Did not your Proverbs 5:12 - and my Proverbs 12:19 - lip Isaiah 43:27 - first father Jeremiah 9:14 - which Jeremiah 11:10 - iniquities Jeremiah 15:7 - since Jeremiah 23:22 - then Jeremiah 25:5 - Turn Jeremiah 29:19 - General Jeremiah 36:7 - and will Lamentations 3:40 - turn Daniel 9:6 - have we Hosea 7:10 - and they Hosea 9:17 - because Hosea 11:2 - they called Hosea 11:5 - because Joel 2:12 - turn Matthew 23:37 - how Luke 13:34 - and ye John 15:16 - that your

Cross-References

Genesis 1:10
God called the dry ground "land" and the waters "seas." And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:12
The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:18
to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:25
God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:31
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Be ye not as your fathers,.... Who lived before the captivity, and misused the prophets and messengers of the Lord, and despised his word, and fell into gross idolatry; the evil examples of parents and ancestors are not to be followed:

unto whom the former prophets have cried: such as Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others:

saying, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Turn now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings; by their "evil ways" may be meant their idolatrous worship; and by their "evil doings" their immoralities; or, by both, their wicked lives and conversations, both before God and men; from whence they were exhorted by the former prophets to turn, and to reform; even "now", at that present time they prophesied to them, immediately, lest destruction come upon them:

but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord; speaking by his prophets, who were sent by him, and came and spoke in his name; so that not hearing them was not hearing him who sent them, and whom they represented.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Be ye not like your fathers - Strangely infectious is the precedent of ill. Tradition of good, of truth, of faith, is decried; only tradition of ill and error are adhered to. The sin of Jeroboam was held sacred by every king of Israel: “The statutes of Omri were diligently kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab” Micah 6:16. “They turned back and were treacherous like their forefathers; they turned themselves like a deceitful bow” Psalms 78:57, is God’s summary of the history of Israel. Cyril: “Absurd are they who follow the ignorances of their fathers, and ever plead inherited custom as an irrefragable defense, though blamed for extremest ills. So idolaters especially, being called to the knowledge of the truth, ever bear in mind the error of their fathers and, embracing their ignorance as an hereditary lot, remain blind.”

The former prophets - The prophets spake God’s words, as well in their pastoral office as in predicting things to come, in enforcing God’s law and in exhorting to repentance, as in announcing the judgments on disobedience. The predictive as well as the pastoral office were united in Nathan 2 Samuel 7:4-16; 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Gad 1 Samuel 22:5; 1 Samuel 24:11, Shemaiah 2 Chronicles 11:2-4; 2 Chronicles 12:5-8, Azariah 2 Chronicles 15:0, Hanani 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, Elijah 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 17:14; 1Ki 18:1, 1 Kings 18:41; 1 Kings 21:19, 1Ki 21:21, 1 Kings 21:23, 1 Kings 21:29; 2 Kings 1:4, 2 Kings 1:16, Elisha 2 Kings 3:17-18; 2Ki 4:16; 2 Kings 5:27; 2 Kings 7:1-2; 2 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Kings 13:14-19, Micaiah the son of Imla, whose habitual predictions against Ahab induced Ahab to say 1 Kings 22:8, “I hate him, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” The specific calls to conversion here named and their fruitlessness, are summed up by Jeremiah as words of all the prophets. For ten years he says, “The word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking, and ye have not hearkened. And the Lord hath sent unto you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending; but ye have not hearkened nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil ways and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers forever and ever; and go not after other gods to serve and worship them, and provoke Me not to anger with the works of your hands, and I will do you no hurt. But ye have not hearkened unto Me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Because ye have not heard My words ...” Jeremiah 25:3-8. The prophetic author of the book of Kings sums up in like way, of “all the prophets and all the seers.” “The Lord testified against Israel and against Judah by the hand of all the prophets and all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets, and they did not hear, and hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers” 2 Kings 17:13.

The characteristic word, “turn from your evil ways and the evil of your doings” occurring in Jeremiah, it is probable, that this summary was chiefly in the mind of Zechariah, and that he refers not to Isaiah, Joel, Amos etc., (as all the prophets were preachers of repentance), but to the whole body of teachers, whom God raised up, analogous to the Christian ministry, to recall people to Himself.

The title, “the former prophets,” contrasts the office of Haggai and Zechariah, not with definite prophets before the captivity, but with the whole company of those, whom God sent as He says, so unremittingly.

And they hearkened not unto Me - Jerome: “They heard not the Lord warning through the prophets, attended not - not to the prophets who spake to them but - not to Me, saith the Lord. For I was in them who spake and was despised. Whence also the Lord in the Gospel saith, “He that receiveth you, receiveth Me” Matthew 10:40.


 
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