UZekhariya 10

1 Celani eNkosini izulu ngesikhathi sezulu langemuva; iNkosi yenza imibane, ibanike izihlambo zezulu, kulolo lalolo uhlaza egangeni.

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.

2 Ngoba izithombe zikhulume ize, labavumisi babone amanga, balandisa amaphupho ayinkohliso, baduduza ngokuyize. Ngakho-ke bazihambela njengezimvu, badubeka, ngoba kwakungelamelusi.

[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].

3 Intukuthelo yami yavutha imelene labelusi, ngajezisa izimpongo; ngoba iNkosi yamabandla izawuhambela umhlambi wayo, indlu kaJuda; ibenze babe njengebhiza layo elihlekazi empini.

[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.

4 Kwaphuma kuye igumbi, kuye isikhonkwane, kuye idandili lempi, kuye wonke umcindezeli ndawonye.

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]).

5 Futhi bazakuba njengamaqhawe anyathela odakeni lwezitalada empini; njalo bazakulwa, ngoba iNkosi ilabo, bayangise abagadi bamabhiza.

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.

6 Njalo ngizaqinisa indlu kaJuda, ngisindise indlu kaJosefa, ngibabuyise, ngoba ngilesihawu kubo. Njalo bazakuba njengokungathi kangizanga ngibalahle; ngoba ngiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo, ngibezwe.

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].

7 Njalo amaEfrayimi azakuba njengeqhawe, lenhliziyo yawo ithokoze njengangewayini. Yebo abantwana bawo bazakubona, bathokoze; inhliziyo yawo izathokoza eNkosini.

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].

8 Ngizabatshayela ukhwelo, ngibabuthe; ngoba ngibahlengile; njalo bazakwanda njengoba sebandile.

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.

9 Njalo ngizabahlanyela phakathi kwezizwe, bangikhumbule endaweni ezikhatshana; baphile labantwana babo, baphenduke.

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].

10 Ngibabuyise bevela elizweni leGibhithe, ngibaqoqe baphume eAsiriya; ngibalethe elizweni leGileyadi leLebhanoni, kodwa kabayikutholelwa ndawo.

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].

11 Njalo uzadabula olwandle lenhlupheko, atshaye amagagasi olwandle, lazo zonke izinziki zomfula zizakoma; lokuzigqaja kweAsiriya kwehliswe, lentonga yobukhosi yeGibhithe isuke.

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].

12 Njalo ngizabaqinisa eNkosini; bahambe besiya le lale ebizweni layo, itsho iNkosi.

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.”