English Bible Presentation Sharing - Zechariah Book, chapter 7, verse 12 in Erven Version

Zechariah 7 : 1 (ERVEN)

Zechariah received a message from the Lord in the fourth year that Darius was the king of Persia. This was on the fourth day of the ninth month (Kislev).

Zechariah 7 : 2 (ERVEN)

The people of Bethel sent Sharezer, Regem- Melech, and his men to ask the Lord a question.

Zechariah 7 : 3 (ERVEN)

They went to the prophets and to the priests at the Temple of the Lord All- Powerful. They asked them this question: "For many years we have shown our sadness for the destruction of the Temple. In the fifth month of each year we have had a special time of crying and fasting. Should we continue to do this?"

Zechariah 7 : 4 (ERVEN)

I received this message from the Lord All-Powerful:

Zechariah 7 : 5 (ERVEN)

"Tell the priests and the other people in this country this: 'For seventy years you fasted and showed your sadness in the fifth month and in the seventh month. But was that fasting really for me?

Zechariah 7 : 6 (ERVEN)

And when you ate and drank, was that for me? No, it was for your own good.

Zechariah 7 : 7 (ERVEN)

The Lord used the earlier prophets to say the same thing long ago. That was when Jerusalem was still a rich city filled with people and there were still people living in the surrounding towns, in the Negev, and in the western foothills.'"

Zechariah 7 : 8 (ERVEN)

This is the Lord's message to Zechariah:

Zechariah 7 : 9 (ERVEN)

"This is what the Lord All-Powerful said: 'You must do what is right and fair. You must be kind and show mercy to each other.

Zechariah 7 : 10 (ERVEN)

Don't hurt widows and orphans, strangers, or poor people. Don't even think of doing bad things to each other!'"

Zechariah 7 : 11 (ERVEN)

But they refused to listen and refused to do what he wanted. They closed their ears so that they could not hear what God said.

Zechariah 7 : 12 (ERVEN)

They were very stubborn and would not obey the law. The Lord All-Powerful used his Spirit and sent messages to his people through the prophets. But the people would not listen, so the Lord All-Powerful became very angry.

Zechariah 7 : 13 (ERVEN)

So the Lord All-Powerful said, "I called to them, and they did not answer. So now, if they call to me, I will not answer.

Zechariah 7 : 14 (ERVEN)

I will bring the other nations against them like a storm. They didn't know those nations, but the country will be destroyed after those nations pass through. This pleasant country will be destroyed."