1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers.
3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.
4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.
5 “Your fathers, where are they?And the prophets, do they live forever?
6 Yet surely My words and My statutes,Which I commanded My servants the prophets,Did they not overtake your fathers?“So they returned and said:‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us,According to our ways and according to our deeds,So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”