< Zechariah 10 >
1 Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, The LORD who makes lightnings, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
Ask from the Lord rain at the time of the latter rain, [from] the Lord who maketh lightning-clouds: and he will give unto them showers of rain, to every herb in the field.
2 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 oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
For the Theraphim speak vanity, and the diviners foresee a lie, and those that have dreams speak what is false, with nought do they comfort: therefore do they move about like a flock, they bleat, because [they have] no shepherd.
3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For the LORD of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
Against the shepherds is my anger kindled, and on the he-goats will I inflict punishment; for the Lord of hosts thinketh of his flock, the house of Judah, and maketh them as his elegant horse in the battle.
4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
Out of him cometh forth the corner [-stone], out of him the tent-nail, out of him the battle-bow, out of him every ruler [of others] together.
5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.
And they shall be like 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 made ashamed.
6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy on them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and the house of Joseph will I save, and I will bring them again to their own homes; for I have mercy upon them, and they shall be as though I had never cast them off; for I am the Lord their God, and I will answer their prayer.
7 Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine; yes, their children will see it, and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in the LORD.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as though from wine: and their children shall see it, and be rejoiced; their heart shall be glad in the Lord.
8 I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they will increase as they have increased.
I will call for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased [formerly].
9 I will sow them among the peoples; and they will remember me in far countries; and they will live with their children, and will return.
And when I shall have scattered them among the people, they will remember me in the far-off countries: therefore shall they live with their children, and return again.
10 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 there won't be room enough for them.
And I will bring them back again out of the land of Egypt, and out of Assyria will I gather them; and into the land of Gil'ad and Lebanon will I bring them, and it shall not be sufficient for them.
11 He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
And he will pass through the sea [with] distress, and he will smite in the sea the waves, and there shall dry up all the deeps of the stream: and there shall be brought down the pride of Assyria, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
12 I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they will walk up and down in his name," says the LORD.
And I will strengthen them in the Lord, and in his name shall they ever walk, saith the Lord.