Zechariah 6

New American Standard Bible

The Four Chariots

6 Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, ^(A)four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains. ² With the first chariot were ^(B)red horses, with the second chariot ^(C)black horses, ³ with the third chariot ^(D)white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong ^(E)spotted horses. ⁴ So I responded and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “^(F)What are these, my lord?” ⁵ The angel replied to me, “These are the ^(G)four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth, ⁶ with one of which the black horses are going out to the ^(H)north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the ^(I)south country.” ⁷ When the strong ones went out, they ^[a]were eager to go to ^[b](J)patrol the earth. And He said, “Go, ^[c]patrol the earth.” So they ^[d]patrolled the earth. ⁸ Then He called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have ^[e](K)appeased My wrath in the land of the north.”

⁹ The ^(L)word of the Lord also came to me, saying, ¹⁰ “^(M)Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.

The Symbolic Crowns

¹¹ Also take silver and gold, make an ornate ^(N)crown, and set it on the head of ^(O)Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. ¹² Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is ^[f](P)Branch, for He will ^[g](Q)branch out from where He is; and He will ^(R)build the temple of the Lord. ¹³ Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will ^(S)bear the majesty and sit and ^(T)rule on His throne. So He will be a ^(U)priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two ^[h]offices.”’ ¹⁴ Now the ^(V)crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and ^[i]Hen the son of Zephaniah. ^15 (W)Those who are far away will come and ^[j]build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will ^(X)know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely ^(Y)obey ^[k]the Lord your God.