## But they would not hear and did not pay attention to me ##
Both of these phrases mean that the people of Israel would not obey the commands of Yahweh. AT: "But they would not listen to my commands" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
This phrase is often translated as "Yahweh says" in the UDB. You can translate this concept whichever way is best in your language. This phrase is used many times in Zechariah.
## Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, are they here forever? ##
Both of these questions are asked to point out the fact that people die. AT: "Your fathers have died. The prophets will also die." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
## But my words and my decrees that I commanded my servants the prophets, have they not overtaken your fathers? ##
This question is used to show the people of Israel that everything that the Lord had told his prophets to warn their ancestors about, had happened. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
## my words and my decrees ##
These are both ways to refer to what God has said to the prophets. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
## overtaken your fathers ##
Yahweh speaks about his prophecies like they are running to catch up and pass the ancestors of the people of Israel. The word "overtaken" means passed. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])