Zechariah 3

The Prophet's Vision of the High Priest

1In another vision the Lord showed me the High Priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord . And there beside Joshua stood Satan, ready to bring an accusation against him.[#Ezra 5.2; Rev 12.10; #3.1: A supernatural being whose name indicates he was regarded as the opponent of human beings.]

2The angel of the Lord said to Satan, “May the Lord condemn you, Satan! May the Lord , who loves Jerusalem, condemn you. This man is like a stick snatched from the fire.”[#Jd 9; #3.2: One ancient translation Hebrew]

3Joshua was standing there, wearing filthy clothes.

4The angel said to his heavenly attendants, “Take away the filthy clothes this man is wearing.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have taken away your sin and will give you new clothes to wear.”

5He commanded the attendants to put a clean turban on Joshua's head. They did so, and then they put the new clothes on him while the angel of the Lord stood there.[#3.5: Some ancient translations Hebrew]

6Then the angel told Joshua that

7the Lord Almighty had said: “If you obey my laws and perform the duties I have assigned you, then you will continue to be in charge of my Temple and its courts, and I will hear your prayers, just as I hear the prayers of the angels who are in my presence.

8Listen then, Joshua, you who are the High Priest; and listen, you fellow priests of his, you that are the sign of a good future: I will reveal my servant, who is called The Branch![#Jr 23.5; 33.15; Zec 6.12]

9I am placing in front of Joshua a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, and in a single day I will take away the sin of this land.

10When that day comes, each of you will invite your neighbor to come and enjoy peace and security, surrounded by your vineyards and fig trees.”[#Mic 4.4]

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