Zechariah 8:9

New Living Translation

"This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven's Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord All-Powerful says, "Be strong! You people are hearing the same message today that the prophets gave when the Lord All-Powerful first laid the foundations to rebuild his Temple.

New American Standard Bible
"The LORD of armies says this: 'Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of armies was laid, so that the temple might be built.

New Century Version
This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "Work hard, you who are hearing these words today. The prophets spoke these words when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord All-Powerful, for the building of the Temple.

Update Bible Version
Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were there in the day that the foundation of the house of Yahweh of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, who [were] in the day [when] the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Amplified Bible
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Let your hands be strong, you who in these days hear these words from the mouths of the prophets who, on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, foretold that the temple might be rebuilt.

English Standard Version
Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

World English Bible
Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were in the day that the foundation of the house of Yahweh of Hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The Lord of oostis seith these thingis, Be youre hondis coumfortid, whiche heren in these daies these wordis bi the mouth of profetis, in the dai in which the hous of the Lord of oostis is foundid, that the temple schulde be bildid.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts.

Contemporary English Version
I am the Lord All-Powerful! So don't give up. Think about the message my prophets spoke when the foundation of my temple was laid.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets that were in the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

Bible in Basic English
This is what the Lord of armies has said: Let your hands be strong, you who are now hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets, that is to say, in the days when the base of the house of the Lord of armies has been put in place for the building of the house, that is the Temple.

Complete Jewish Bible
" Adonai -Tzva'ot says, ‘Take courage, you who are hearing only now, in these days, these words spoken by the prophets when the foundation was being laid for rebuilding the temple, the house of A donai -Tzva'ot.

Darby Translation
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, that were in the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets that were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

King James Version (1611)
Thus saith the Lord of hostes, Let your handes be strong, ye that heare in these dayes, these wordes by the mouth of the Prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laied, that the Temple might be built.

New Life Bible
"The Lord of All says, ‘You who are now listening to these words spoken through the men of God who were there when the Lord's house was started, let your hands be strong for building the Lord's house.

New Revised Standard
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of hosts.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, Let your hands be strong, ye that heare in these dayes these words by the mouth of the Prophets, which were in the day, that the foundation of the House of the Lord of hostes was laide, that the Temple might be builded.

George Lamsa Translation
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Let your hands be strong, all of you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets that were since the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus, saith Yahweh of hosts, Let your hands be strong, ye who are hearing, in these days, these words, - from the mouth of the prophets who, on the day the house of Yahweh of hosts, was founded, foretold that, the temple, should be built: -

Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strengthened, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, in the day that the house of the Lord of hosts was founded, that the temple might be built.

Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets, since the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Thus saith the Lorde of hoastes: Let your hands be strong ye that now heare these wordes by the mouth of the prophetes which are in these dayes, that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hoastes is layde, that the temple may be builded.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Thus saith the Lord Almighty; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words out of the mouth of the prophets, from the day that the house of the Lord Almighty was founded, and from the time that the temple was built.

Good News Translation
"Have courage! You are now hearing the same words the prophets spoke at the time the foundation was being laid for rebuilding my Temple.

Christian Standard Bible®
The Lord of Armies says this: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words that the prophets spoke when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of Armies.

Hebrew Names Version
Thus says the LORD of Hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of Hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built.

King James Version
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Lexham English Bible
"Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are hearing in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of Yahweh of hosts.

Literal Translation
So says Jehovah of Hosts: Let your hands be made strong, you who hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, that in the day the house of Jehovah of Hosts is founded, the temple is to be built.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Let your hands be strong, Ye who are hearing in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets, That in the day the house of Jehovah of Hosts Hath been founded, the temple [is] to be built.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thus saieth the LORDE of hoostes: let youre hondes be stronge, ye that now heare these wordes by the mouth of the prophetes, which be in these dayes that the foundacion is layed vpon the LORDE of hoostes house, that the temple maye be buylded.

THE MESSAGE
A Message from God -of-the-Angel-Armies: "Get a grip on things. Hold tight, you who are listening to what I say through the preaching of the prophets. The Temple of God -of-the-Angel-Armies has been reestablished. The Temple is being rebuilt. We've come through a hard time: You worked for a pittance and were lucky to get that; the streets were dangerous; you could never let down your guard; I had turned the world into an armed camp.

New English Translation
"The Lord who rules over all also says, ‘Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of the Lord who rules over all, so that the temple might be built.

New King James Version
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who spoke in the day the foundation was laid For the house of the LORD of hosts, That the temple might be built.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built.

Legacy Standard Bible
"Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of Yahweh of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built.

Contextual Overview

⁹ "This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven's Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. ¹⁰ Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other. ¹¹ "But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. ¹² For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. ¹³ Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don't be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple! ¹⁴ "For this is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. ¹⁵ But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don't be afraid. ¹⁶ But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. ¹⁷ Don't scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord ."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Let: Zechariah 8:13, Zechariah 8:18, Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:8, 1 Chronicles 22:13, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Isaiah 35:4, Haggai 2:4-9, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Timothy 2:1

the prophets: Ezra 5:1, Ezra 5:2, Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:12, Haggai 2:21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:7 - strong Daniel 10:19 - be strong Haggai 2:18 - even Zechariah 6:12 - he shall build Zechariah 8:11 - General Romans 4:20 - but was 1 Corinthians 16:13 - be

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 28:65
There among those nations you will find no peace or place to rest. And the Lord will cause your heart to tremble, your eyesight to fail, and your soul to despair.

Psalms 116:7
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.

Isaiah 60:8
"And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel, like doves to their nests?

Ezekiel 7:16
The survivors who escape to the mountains will moan like doves, weeping for their sins.

Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Let your hands be strong,.... In going on with the building of the temple, which was typical of the church of God, since so many great and good things were promised by the Lord, Haggai 2:4:

ye that hear in these days; such as Zerubbabel the ruler, Joshua the high priest, and the rest of the people of the land:

these words by the mouth of the prophets; that is, these prophecies of future good things, which were delivered by Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi; who were the prophets,

which [were] in the day [that] the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid; which was in the second year of Darius, on the twenty fourth day of the ninth month, Haggai 2:10:

that the temple might be built; in order to the rebuilding of it, the foundation was laid; and from that time it was to continue building, till it was finished m.

m The true reading of these words, according to the accents, is, "Thus saith the Lord [of hosts:] let your hands be strong, that hear in those days these words: [out of] the prophets, [I say, ye have heard], that, from the day the house of the Lord of hosts shall be founded, the temple [should be continued] to be built." So Reinbeck. De Accent. Heb. p. 453.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let your hands be strong - The fulfillment of God’s former promises are the earnest of the future; His former providences, of those to come. Having then those great promises for the time to come, they were to be earnest in whatever meantime God gave them to do. He speaks to them, “as hearing in these days,” that is, that fourth year of Darius in which they apparently were, “these words from the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day when the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, the temple, that it might be built.” Haggai was now gone to his rest. His voice had been silent for two years. But his words lived on. The fulfillment of what the prophets had then spoken in God’s Name, was a ground, why their hands should be strong, now and thereafter, for every work which God gave or should give them to do. Ribera: “Some things are said to Jerusalem, that is, to the Jews, which belong to them only; some relate to what is common to them and the other members of the Church, that is, these who are called from the Gentiles. Now he speaks to the Jews, but not so as to seem to forget what he had said before. He would say, Ye who hear the words, which in those days when the temple was founded, Haggai and Zechariah spake, be strong and proceed to the work which ye began of fulfilling the will of the Lord in the building of the temple, and in keeping from the sins, in which ye were before entangled. For as, before ye began to build the temple, ye were afflicted with many calamities, but after ye had begun, all things went well with you, as Haggai said, “so, if you cultivate piety and do not depart from God, ye shall enjoy great abundance of spiritual good” Haggai 2:15-19. Osorius: “The memory of past calamity made the then tranquillity much sweeter, and stirred the mind to greater thanksgiving. He set forth then the grief of those times when he says;”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Zechariah 8:9. By the mouth of the prophets — The day or time of the foundation was about two years before, as this discourse of the prophet was in the fourth year of Darius. After this God raised up prophets among them.