And it came to pass in the fourth{H702} year{H8141} of king{H4428} Darius,{H1867} that the word{H1697} of Jehovah{H3068} came unto Zechariah{H2148} in the fourth{H702} [day] of the ninth{H8671} month,{H2320} even in Chislev.{H3691}

Now [they of] Beth -{H1004} el{H410} had sent{H7971} Sharezer{H8272} and Regem-melech,{H7278} and their men,{H582} to entreat{H2470} the favor{H6440} of Jehovah,{H3068}

[ and] to speak{H559} unto the priests{H3548} of the house{H1004} of Jehovah{H3068} of hosts,{H6635} and to the prophets,{H5030} saying,{H559} Should I weep{H1058} in the fifth{H2549} month,{H2320} separating{H5144} myself, as I have done{H6213} these so many years?{H8141}

Then came the word{H1697} of Jehovah{H3068} of hosts{H6635} unto me, saying,{H559}

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

And when ye eat,{H398} and when ye drink,{H8354} do not ye eat{H398} for yourselves, and drink{H8354} for yourselves?

[ Should ye] not [hear] the words{H1697} which Jehovah{H3068} cried{H7121} by{H3027} the former{H7223} prophets,{H5030} when Jerusalem{H3389} was inhabited{H3427} and in prosperity,{H7961} and the cities{H5892} thereof round about her,{H5439} and the South{H5045} and the lowland{H8219} were inhabited?{H3427}

And the word{H1697} of Jehovah{H3068} came unto Zechariah,{H2148} saying,{H559}

Thus hath Jehovah{H3068} of hosts{H6635} spoken,{H559} saying,{H559} Execute{H8199} true{H571} judgment,{H4941} and show{H6213} kindness{H2617} and compassion{H7356} every man{H376} to his brother;{H251}

and oppress{H6231} not the widow,{H490} nor the fatherless,{H3490} the sojourner,{H1616} nor the poor;{H6041} and let none of you devise{H2803} evil{H7451} against{H376} his brother{H251} in your heart.{H3824}

But they refused{H3985} to hearken,{H7181} and pulled away{H5414} the shoulder,{H3802} and stopped{H3513} their ears,{H241} that they might not hear.{H8085}

Yea, they made{H7760} their hearts{H3820} as an adamant stone,{H8068} lest they should hear{H8085} the law,{H8451} and the words{H1697} which Jehovah{H3068} of hosts{H6635} had sent{H7971} by his Spirit{H7307} by{H3027} the former{H7223} prophets:{H5030} therefore there came great{H1419} wrath{H7110} from Jehovah{H3068} of hosts.{H6635}

And it is come to pass that, as he cried,{H7121} and they would not hear,{H8085} so they shall cry,{H7121} and I will not hear,{H8085} said{H559} Jehovah{H3068} of hosts;{H6635}

but I will scatter them with a whirlwind{H5590} among all the nations{H1471} which they have not known.{H3045} Thus the land{H776} was desolate{H8074} after{H310} them, so that no man passed through{H5674} nor returned:{H7725} for they laid{H7760} the pleasant{H2532} land{H776} desolate.{H8047}