< Zechariah 10 >
1 Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain, [even of] the LORD that maketh lightnings; and he shall give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2 For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.
3 “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.
Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and shall make them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4 The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.
From him shall come forth the corner stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every exactor together.
5 They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
And they shall be as mighty men, treading down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them: and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6 I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again, for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them.
7 Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.
And [they of] Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and rejoice; their heart shall be glad in the LORD.
8 I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
9 Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in distant lands; they and their children will live and return.
And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries: and they shall live with their children, and shall return.
10 I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon until no more room is found for them.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and [place] shall not be found for them.
11 They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
And he shall pass through the sea of affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
12 I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,”
And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.