Zec 3 | EE | STEP | Then the angel of the LORD appeared to me, Zechariah, and he showed me Joshua, the most important priest. Joshua was standing in front of the angel of the LORD. Satan stood on the right side of Joshua. He was ready to say that Joshua had done bad things.

Zechariah 3

Clean clothes for Joshua the most important priest

1 Then the angel of the LORD appeared to me, Zechariah, and he showed me Joshua, the most important priest. Joshua was standing in front of the angel of the LORD. Satan stood on the right side of Joshua. He was ready to say that Joshua had done bad things. 2 The LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD says that you are wrong. The LORD has chosen Jerusalem. And he says that you are wrong. Joshua is certainly like a burning stick that someone pulls quickly out of the fire.’

3 Joshua was wearing very dirty clothes and he stood in front of the angel. 4 The angel said to the other angels that stood in front of him, ‘Remove his very dirty clothes.’ Then the first angel said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin. I will put the clothes on you that a priest should wear.’

5 Then Zechariah said, ‘Put a clean hat on his head.’ So, they put a clean hat on his head and they dressed him in clean clothes. The angel of the LORD stood near to them. ^{▼▼3:5 The angel of the LORD was watching everything that they were doing.}

6 The angel of the LORD spoke to Joshua with these serious words. 7 ‘These are the words of the LORD Almighty. Listen to them and obey them. “You will rule in my house. You will rule inside the walls of my house. I will give you a place among the angels that are standing here.

8 Listen, Joshua, most important priest of the LORD. Listen you priests that sit with Joshua. You are like a sign. People can look at you. And they can know that good things will happen in future years. See! I will bring to you my servant who is called The Branch. 9 See the stone that I have put in front of Joshua! It is a stone with seven sides and I will cut words in the stone”, says the LORD Almighty. “I will remove the sin of this country’s people in one day.” 10 “On that day”, says the LORD Almighty, “each of you will ask your friends to come. You will ask them to come and to sit under your own vines and fig trees.”’ ^{▼▼3:10 Verse 8 The Branch is another name for Jesus. See also Isaiah 11:1-2 and Jeremiah 23:5.} ^{▼▼3:10 Verse 9 Some Bible translators say that it was a stone with seven eyes.} ^{▼▼3:10 Verse 10 means that they will have plenty of good things. They will ask their friends to enjoy those good things with them.}