1 In November of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the lord gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:
2 “I, the lord, was very angry with your ancestors.
3 Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the lord of Heaven’s Armies.’
4 Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’
5 “Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead.