Zechariah 6

New International Version

Four Chariots

6 I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots^(A)coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze.² The first chariot had red horses, the second black,^(B)3 the third white,^(C)and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful.⁴ I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?”

⁵ The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits^[a](D)of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.^(E)6 The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west,^[b]and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”

⁷ When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth.^(F)And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth.

⁸ Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit^[c]rest^(G)in the land of the north.”^(H)

A Crown for Joshua

⁹ The word of theLordcame to me:¹⁰ “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon.^(I)Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.¹¹ Take the silver and gold and make a crown,^(J)and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua^(K)son of Jozadak.^[d](L)12 Tell him this is what theLordAlmighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch,^(M)and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of theLord.^(N)13 It is he who will build the temple of theLord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he^[e]will be a priest^(O)on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’¹⁴ The crown will be given to Heldai,^[f]Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen^[g]son of Zephaniah as a memorial^(P)in the temple of theLord.¹⁵ Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of theLord,^(Q)and you will know that theLordAlmighty has sent me to you.^(R)This will happen if you diligently obey^(S)theLordyour God.”