< Zechariah 10 >
1 Ask of YHWH rain in the spring time, YHWH who makes lightnings, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
Ask ye from Yahweh rain, in the time of the latter rain, Yahweh, who causeth flashes of lightning, —and, rain in abundant showers, giveth he unto them, to every man, herbage 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 household gods, have spoken vanity, and, the diviners, have had vision of falsehood, and, deceitful dreams, do they relate, vainly, do they console, —for this reason, have they moved about like a flock, they suffer ill, because there is no shepherd.
3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For YHWH 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 kindled mine anger, and, upon the leaders of the flock, will I bring punishment, —for Yahweh of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his noble horse in battle:
4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
From him, the commander, from him, the supporter, from him, the war-bow, —from him, shall proceed every one that driveth on, together;
5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because YHWH is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.
So shall they become like mighty ones, trampling on the mire of lanes, in battle, and they will fight because, Yahweh, is with them, —and will abash the riders of horses.
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 YHWH their God, and I will hear them.
So will I make mighty ones of the house of Judah, and, the house of Joseph, will I save, and will cause them to continue, because I have had compassion upon them, So shall they be as though I had not rejected them, —for, I, Yahweh, will be their God, and will answer them;
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 YHWH.
And they shall be as the mighty one of Ephraim, and their heart, shall rejoice, as through wine, —yea, their children, shall see and rejoice, their heart, shall exult, in Yahweh.
8 I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they will increase as they have increased.
I will signal for them, and will gather them, because I have ransomed them, —and they shall multiply, according as they have multiplied;
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.
Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet, in places far away, shall they remember me, —and they shall live with their children, and shall return;
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 out of the land of Egypt, and, out of Assyria, will I gather them, —and, into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, will I bring them, and [room] shall not be found 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.
Though he pass through a sea of affliction, yet shall he smite the sea, with its waves, and the roaring depths of the Nile, shall appear dry, —So shall be brought down the pride of Assyria, and, the sceptre of Egypt, shall depart;
12 I will strengthen them in YHWH; and they will walk up and down in his name," says YHWH.
And I will make them mighty in Yahweh, and, in his name, shall they march to and fro, —Declareth Yahweh.