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Zechariah 1:15-17
New English Translation
Zechariah 1:15-17
New English Translation
15 But I am greatly displeased with the nations that take my grace for granted.[a] I was a little displeased with them, but they have only made things worse for themselves.
The Oracle of Response
16 “‘Therefore,’ this is what the Lord has said, ‘I have become compassionate[b] toward Jerusalem and will rebuild my temple[c] in it,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘Once more a surveyor’s measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’ 17 Speak up again with the message of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: ‘My cities will once more overflow with prosperity, and once more the Lord will comfort Zion and validate his choice of Jerusalem.’”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Zechariah 1:15 tn Or “the nations that are at ease” (so ASV, NRSV). The Hebrew word in question is שַׁאֲנָן (shaʾanan) which has the idea of a careless, even arrogant attitude (see BDB 983 s.v. שַׁאֲנָן); cf. NAB “the complacent nations.” Here it suggests that the nations take for granted that God will never punish them just because he hasn’t already done so. Thus they presume on the grace and patience of the Lord. The translation attempts to bring out this nuance rather than the more neutral renderings of TEV “nations that enjoy quiet and peace” or NLT “enjoy peace and security.”
- Zechariah 1:16 tn Heb “I have turned in compassion.” This suggests that the Lord has responded to the “turning” (i.e., repentance) of the people (v. 6) and now, with great love and forgiveness, allows construction of the temple to proceed.
- Zechariah 1:16 tn Heb “house.”
Zechariah 1:15-17
English Standard Version
Zechariah 1:15-17
English Standard Version
15 (A)And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are (B)at ease; (C)for while I was angry but a little, (D)they furthered the disaster. 16 Therefore, thus says the Lord, (E)I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; (F)my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and (G)the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: (H)My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, (I)and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again (J)choose Jerusalem.’”
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Zechariah 1:15-17
New King James Version
Zechariah 1:15-17
New King James Version
15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;
For (A)I was a little angry,
And they helped—but with evil intent.”
16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord:
(B)“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;
My (C)house (D)shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts,
“And (E)a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’
17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“My cities shall again [a]spread out through prosperity;
(F)The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And (G)will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”
Footnotes
- Zechariah 1:17 Or overflow with good
Zechariah 1:15-17
New International Version
Zechariah 1:15-17
New International Version
15 and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure.(A) I was only a little angry,(B) but they went too far with the punishment.’(C)
16 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return(D) to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line(E) will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.(F)
17 “Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort(G) Zion and choose(H) Jerusalem.’”(I)
New English Translation (NET)
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English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.