Therefore, thus says the LORD: The word Therefore (Good News Translation “So”) links the statements and promises of this verse with the reasoning in verses 14 and 15. In Hebrew the expressions thus says the LORD and says the LORD of hosts both occur in this verse. The first is a fourth degree quotation introducing a fifth degree quotation, as explained in the introduction to 1.14-17. The second marks the climax of the fifth degree quotation. Since the beginning of the verse is a continuation of the message in verses 14 and 15, Good News Translation does not interrupt it by repeating these quotation formulas. Translators may include or omit the formulas as best fits the pattern of their language, but they should be aware of their discourse significance in the Hebrew.

I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion: The LORD had originally chosen Jerusalem, and his temporary punishment of its people did not cancel this choice. Therefore he shows kindness to his people again at the right time. The word returned is the same word in Hebrew as that translated “return” in verse 3 and “repented” in verse 6. To speak of the LORD coming back to Jerusalem would have reminded Zechariah’s hearers or readers of the vision of Ezekiel (Ezek 43.1-5). The word translated with compassion is a form of the same root that occurred in the question in verse 12, where it was translated “have … mercy.” These verbal links help to hold the Hebrew text together in a way that is often unavoidably lost in translation. The Septuagint and some modern versions such as New International Version translate the verb return as a future, but this is not a good idea as it reduces the strength of the encouragement in the message.

My house shall be built in it: The LORD’s return is here said to involve two particular forms of blessing. The first is that my house shall be built in it, or as Good News Translation says, “My Temple will be restored.” In these words Zechariah encourages the people with the assurance that the work recently begun under the ministry of Haggai (Hag 1.12-15) will be brought to a successful conclusion. In languages that do not use the passive, translators may render this clause as Contemporary English Version does with “my temple will stand again,” or they may use “The people [or, They] will rebuild my Temple [or, my house].”

The second aspect of blessing is that the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. This refers to the work of a surveyor on the site before the actual building begins. Since the meaning of the action would not be clear to some readers, Good News Translation expresses it in plain language as “the city will be rebuilt” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Alternatively translators may say “the people will rebuild my city.” Many may wish to follow these models.

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 .