1 And it came to pass in the fourth{H702} year{H8141} of king{H4428} Darius{H1867}, that the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} came unto Zechariah{H2148} in the fourth{H702} day of the ninth{H8671} month{H2320}, even in Chisleu{H3691};

2 When they had sent{H7971}{(H8799)} unto the house{H1004} of God{H410} Sherezer{H8272} and Regemmelech{H7278}, and their men{H582}, to pray{H2470}{(H8763)} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068},

3 And to speak{H559}{(H8800)} unto the priests{H3548} which were in the house{H1004} of the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}, and to the prophets{H5030}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Should I weep{H1058}{(H8799)} in the fifth{H2549} month{H2320}, separating{H5144}{(H8736)} myself, as I have done{H6213}{(H8804)} these so many years{H8141}?

4 Then came the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635} unto me, saying{H559}{(H8800)},

5 Speak{H559}{(H8798)} unto all the people{H5971} of the land{H776}, and to the priests{H3548}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, When ye fasted{H6684}{(H8804)} and mourned{H5594}{(H8800)} in the fifth{H2549} and seventh{H7637} month, even those seventy{H7657} years{H8141}, did ye at all{H6684}{(H8800)} fast{H6684}{(H8804)} unto me, even to me?

6 And when ye did eat{H398}{(H8799)}, and when ye did drink{H8354}{(H8799)}, did not ye eat{H398}{(H8802)} for yourselves, and drink{H8354}{(H8802)} for yourselves?

7 Should ye not hear the words{H1697} which the LORD{H3068} hath cried{H7121}{(H8804)} by{H3027} the former{H7223} prophets{H5030}, when Jerusalem{H3389} was inhabited{H3427}{(H8802)} and in prosperity{H7961}, and the cities{H5892} thereof round about her{H5439}, when men inhabited{H3427}{(H8802)} the south{H5045} and the plain{H8219}?

8 And the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} came unto Zechariah{H2148}, saying{H559}{(H8800)},

9 Thus speaketh{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Execute{H8199}{(H8798)} true{H571} judgment{H4941}, and shew{H6213}{(H8798)} mercy{H2617} and compassions{H7356} every man{H376} to his brother{H251}:

10 And oppress{H6231}{(H8799)} not the widow{H490}, nor the fatherless{H3490}, the stranger{H1616}, nor the poor{H6041}; and let none of you imagine{H2803}{(H8799)} evil{H7451} against{H376} his brother{H251} in your heart{H3824}.

11 But they refused{H3985}{(H8762)} to hearken{H7181}{(H8687)}, and pulled away{H5414}{(H8799)}{H5637}{(H8802)} the shoulder{H3802}, and stopped{H3513}{(H8689)} their ears{H241}, that they should not hear{H8085}{(H8800)}.

12 Yea, they made{H7760}{(H8804)} their hearts{H3820} as an adamant stone{H8068}, lest they should hear{H8085}{(H8800)} the law{H8451}, and the words{H1697} which the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635} hath sent{H7971}{(H8804)} in his spirit{H7307} by{H3027} the former{H7223} prophets{H5030}: therefore came a great{H1419} wrath{H7110} from the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}.

13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried{H7121}{(H8804)}, and they would not hear{H8085}{(H8804)}; so they cried{H7121}{(H8799)}, and I would not hear{H8085}{(H8799)}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} of hosts{H6635}:

14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind{H5590}{(H8762)} among all the nations{H1471} whom they knew{H3045}{(H8804)} not. Thus the land{H776} was desolate{H8074}{(H8738)} after{H310} them, that no man passed through{H5674}{(H8802)} nor returned{H7725}{(H8802)}: for they laid{H7760}{(H8799)} the pleasant{H2532} land{H776} desolate{H8047}.