1. In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Adonai came to the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah son of Iddo, saying:
2. “Adonai has been furious with your fathers.
3. Therefore tell them, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Return to Me’—it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot—‘and I will return to you,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
4. Do not be like your fathers to whom the former prophets cried out saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Turn back now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me.’ It is a declaration of Adonai.
5. “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?