¶ Arise, O sword, upon my [a]shepherd, and upon the man, that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

And in all the land, saith the Lord, [b]two parts therein shall be cut off, and die: but the third shall be left therein.

And I will bring that third part through the fire, and will fine them as the silver is fined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my Name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people, and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

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Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 13:7 The Prophet warneth the Jews, that before this great comfort should come under Christ, there should be an horrible dissipation among the people: for their governors and pastors should be destroyed, and the people should be as scattered sheep: and the Evangelist applieth this to Christ, because he was the head of all Pastors, Matt. 26:31.
  2. Zechariah 13:8 The greatest part shall have no portion of these blessings, and yet they that shall enjoy them, shall be tried with great afflictions, so that it shall be known that only God’s power and his mercies do preserve them.

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

“Awake, sword,(A) against my shepherd,(B)
    against the man who is close to me!”
    declares the Lord Almighty.
“Strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered,(C)
    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
    “two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
    yet one-third will be left in it.(D)
This third I will put into the fire;(E)
    I will refine them like silver(F)
    and test them like gold.(G)
They will call(H) on my name(I)
    and I will answer(J) them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’(K)
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.(L)’”

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