The Preacher's Bible

Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze. ²In the first chariot were red horses. In the second chariot were black horses. ³In the third chariot were white horses. In the fourth chariot were dappled horses, all of them powerful. ⁴Then I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

⁵The angel answered me, “These are the four winds of the sky, which go out from standing before the Lord of all the earth. ⁶The one with the black horses goes out toward the north country; and the white went out after them; and the dappled went out toward the south country.” ⁷The strong went out, and sought to go that they might walk back and forth through the earth. He said, “Go around and through the earth!” So they walked back and forth through the earth.

⁸Then he called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.”

⁹Jehovah’s word came to me, saying, ¹⁰“Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah; and come the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have come from Babylon. ¹¹Yes, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest; ¹²and speak to him, saying, ‘Jehovah of Armies says, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch! He will grow up out of his place; and he will build Jehovah’s temple. ¹³He will build Jehovah’s temple. He will bear the glory, and will sit and rule on his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. The counsel of peace will be between them both. ¹⁴The crowns shall be to Helem, to Tobijah, to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in Jehovah’s temple. ¹⁵Those who are far off shall come and build in Jehovah’s temple; and you shall know that Jehovah of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen, if you will diligently obey Jehovah your God’s voice.”’”