For the angel who talked with me, compare 1.9, 19; 2.3; 4.1; 6.4. Translators should try as far as possible to refer to this angel in the same way each time he appears, because this will help readers to recognize that the same person is referred to each time.

For came forward, compare 2.3. Good News Translation “appeared again” seems to depart unnecessarily from the Hebrew. The Contemporary English Version translation may be more helpful: “Now the angel who was there to explain the visions came over and said….”

Lift your eyes: Compare 1.18; 2.1; 5.1. Good News Translation renders it more naturally as “Look!”

See what this is that goes forth: This does not sound natural in English, but Good News Translation “Something else is coming” seems to depart unnecessarily from the Hebrew. Translators could say as a closer equivalent that is still natural, “Look at what is coming.” For the whole quotation Contemporary English Version has “Look up and tell me what you see coming,” and Revised English Bible “Look at this thing that is coming.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .