Zechariah 10

1 Ask Yahweh to cause rain to fall (in the springtime/before the hot season starts), [because] he is the one who makes the clouds [from which the rain falls]. He causes showers to fall on us, and he causes crops to grow well in the fields.

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 [What people think that] the idols in their houses suggest [is only] nonsense, and people who [say that they can] interpret dreams tell [only] lies. When they [tell people things to] comfort [them, what they say] is useless, so the people [who (consult/trust in) them] are like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no [one to protect them] [like] [MET] a shepherd [protects his sheep].

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 [Yahweh says, ] “I am angry with the leaders [MET] of my people, and I will punish them. [I, ] the Commander of the armies of angels, take care of my people, the people of Judah, [like a shepherd takes care of his] [MET] flock, and I will cause them to be like [SIM] proud/powerful war horses.

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 Judah will come rulers [who will be very important], [like] [MET] a cornerstone is [the most important stone for a house], [like] [MET] a tent peg [is very important for a tent], [like] [MET] a bow [is very important for (an archer/a man who shoots arrows]).

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 will all be like [SIM] mighty warriors trampling [their enemies] in the mud during a battle. [I, ] Yahweh, will be with them, so they will fight and defeat their enemies who ride on horses.

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 cause the people [MTY] of Judah to become strong, and I will rescue the people [MTY] of Israel. I will bring them back [from the countries to which they were (exiled/forced to go)]; [I will do that] because I pity them. Then they will be as though I had not abandoned them, because I am Yahweh, their God, and I will answer them [when they pray for help].

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 The people of Israel will be like [SIM] strong soldiers; they will be as happy as [people who have drunk a lot of] wine. Their children will see [their fathers being very happy], and they [also] will be happy because of what Yahweh [has done for them].

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 my people [to return from (being exiled/other countries)], and I will gather them together [in their own country]. I will rescue them, and they will become very numerous like [they were] previously.

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 have caused them to be scattered among many people-groups, but in those distant countries they will think about me again. They and their children will remain alive and return [to Judah].

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 [back] from Egypt and from Assyria; I will bring them [back] from the Gilead and Lebanon [regions], and there will hardly be enough [HYP] space for them all [to live in Judah].

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 They will endure/experience many difficulties [as though they were walking] [MET] through a sea, but [I] will calm the waves of the sea; the Nile [River which is usually] deep will dry up. [I] will defeat the proud [soldiers of] Assyria, and [I will cause] Egypt to no longer be powerful [MTY].

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 enable my people to be strong, and they will honor me and obey [IDM] me. [That will surely happen because I, ] Yahweh, have said it.”

And I will make them mighty in Yahweh, and, in his name, shall they march to and fro, —Declareth Yahweh.