1A prophecy: The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach (Aram), and on Damascus, its resting place; for the eyes of all people, and especially all the tribes of Israel, are on the LORD. 2And is also against Hamath, that borders it, and Tyre, and Sidon, though they are very shrewd. 3Tyre has built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like dust, and fine gold like the dirt of the streets. 4But the LORD will take her possessions away, and He will destroy her power on the sea; and she shall be consumed by fire. 5Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, as will Ekron; for her hopes shall be dashed; and the king of Gaza will be killed, and Ashkelon shall be deserted. 5The city of Ashkelon will see this and be afraid. The city of Gaza will see it and suffer great pain. So will Ekron, and her hopes will be shattered. Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will be left deserted. 6People of mixed race will occupy Ashdod. The LORD says, “I will humble all these proud Philistines. 7They will no longer eat meat with blood in it, or other forbidden food. All that remain (survive) will become part of My people and be like a clan in the tribe of Judah. Ekron will become part of My people, as the Jebusites did. 8I will guard my land and keep marauding armies from passing through it; and never again shall an oppressor overrun My people. I have seen how My people have suffered.”

9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your King comes to you; He is just, righteous, and victorious, yet He is humble. and comes riding upon a donkey - upon a colt, the foal of a donkey (Mt.21:5).

10The LORD says, “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim, and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be broken; and He shall proclaim peace to the nations; and His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. 11“As for you also, because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless pit (dungeon). 12Return to your stronghold, you prisoners who have hope; even today do I declare that I will restore to you double blessing for every trouble. 13Judah is My bow; and Ephraim (Israel) is My arrow and I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.”

14And then the LORD shall appear over them, and His arrow shall go forth like the lightning; and the Sovereign LORD shall sound the trumpet, and shall advance like the whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD Almighty shall defend them; and they shall defeat and subdue their enemies with sling-stones. They shall shout and make noise as though drunk with wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and drenched like the corners of the altar.

16And the LORD, their God, shall save His people in that day as a shepherd saves His flock; for they shall sparkle in His land like the jewels of a crown. 17For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty! Abundance from the LORD shall make the young men thrive on abundant grain; and the young women will flourish on new wine.