The vision of four chariots

1I looked up again, and in the vision I saw four chariots coming toward me. They were coming between two mountains that were made of bronze.

2The first chariot was pulled by red horses, the second chariot was pulled by black horses,

3the third chariot was pulled by white horses, and the fourth chariot was pulled by spotted gray horses. They were all very strong horses.

4I asked the angel who had been speaking to me, “Sir, what do those chariots mean?”

5The angel replied, “They have come from standing in the presence of the Lord who controls/rules the entire earth. They will go across the sky in four directions.

6The chariot pulled by black horses will go north, the one pulled by white horses will go west, the one pulled by spotted gray horses will go south.”

7When those powerful horses left, their chariot-drivers were eager to go throughout the world. As they were leaving, the angel said to them, “Go throughout the world and see what is happening!” So that is what they did.

8Then the angel called to me and said, “Look/Listen, the drivers of the chariots that have gone north will do what the Spirit of Yahweh wants them to do there.”

A crown was given to Joshua

9Then Yahweh gave me another message.

10He said, “Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will be bringing some silver and gold from the people who were ◄exiled in/forced to go to► Babylon. As soon as they arrive, go to the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.

11Take some of that silver and gold from them and make a crown. Then put it on the head of Jehozadak’s son Joshua, the Supreme Priest.

12Tell him that I, the Commander of the armies of angels, say that the man who is called the Branch will come. He will leave the place where he is now, and he will supervise those who build my temple.

13He is the one who will tell those who will build my temple what to do. He will wear royal clothing and he will sit on his throne and rule. There will also be a priest sitting next to his throne, and the two of them will work together harmoniously.

14The crown must be kept in my temple to remind people of what Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah did for them.

15People who are living far away will come and help to build my temple. When that happens, the people will know that I, the Commander of the armies of angels, have sent you to them. That will happen if they faithfully obey me, Yahweh, your/their God.”