The Bible, King James version, Book 38: Zechariah

In the opening of this ancient prophetic work, a messenger appears in the eighth month of the second year of King Darius, bringing a stark warning from the divine. The prophet is urged to tell his people that their ancestors’ stubbornness has angered the Almighty, and that a sincere turn back toward righteousness will be met with divine grace. The tone is urgent yet hopeful, inviting listeners to hear the timeless call for repentance and renewal.

The narrative then shifts to a series of striking visions: a rider on a red horse among myrtle trees, a chorus of angels, and symbolic figures such as four horns that have scattered the nation. A man with a measuring line appears, promising to assess the future size of a restored city. These vivid images convey both the turmoil of the present and the promise of a renewed Jerusalem, wrapped in language that is both poetic and accessible for modern ears.