Definition: Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 1:4. It’s a really important message about listening to God and changing our course. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying: “Don't act like your ancestors – the prophets before us – who were calling you to change, but didn’t listen to you. Don’t continue down a path of wrong doing.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Be ye not as your fathers…” : This refers to the people who came before us – the prophets and leaders of Israel in ancient times. They were trying to tell us something important about God and how we should live. “…unto whom the former prophets have cried…” : The prophets were warning us about a specific problem - that we were drifting away from what God wanted for our lives, towards things that were wrong or sinful. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts…” : This is a fancy way of saying “The Lord speaks.” It’s emphasizing the seriousness of what's being said. “…Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings:” : This is the core of the message. The prophets were urging us to stop doing things that God clearly dislikes – things that are harmful, unjust, or against His will. “But they did not hear, nor hearken unto me…” : This is a crucial part. The people didn’t listen to the prophets. They continued on their course, ignoring what God was telling them. What does it mean in today's world? This verse speaks to us now – especially when we feel like we're making choices that aren't aligned with God’s will or what He wants for our lives. It reminds us that: God has a plan for us: He knows what's best for us and has given us guidance. We need to listen to His voice: We should be attentive to the things that are right and true, even when it’s difficult. Changing our course is important: It’s not enough to just think we're doing good; we must actively choose a better path. In short, this verse encourages us to listen to God's guidance and make choices that align with His will for our lives. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse in more detail? Give some examples of how this verse applies to modern life?