Zechariah 10

The Restoration of the True People

1 Ask the Lord for rain in the season of the late spring rainst – the Lord who causes thunderstorms – and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field.2 For the household godst have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and as for the dreamers, they have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd.s

3 I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead-goats.
For the Lord who rules over all has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse.4 From him will come the cornerstone,s the wall peg,s the battle bow, and every ruler.t

5 And they will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, for the Lord will be with them, and will defeat the enemy cavalry.t
6 “I (says the Lord) will strengthen the kingdomt of Judah and deliver the people of Josephts and will bring them backs because of my compassion for them. They will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and therefore I will hear them.7 The Ephraimites will be like warriors and will rejoice as if they had drunk wine. Their children will see it and rejoice; they will celebrate in the things of the Lord.8 I will signal for them and gather them, for I have already redeemed them; then they will become as numerous as they were before.9 Though I scattert them among the nations, they will remember in far-off places – they and their children will sprout forth and return.10 I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria.s I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon, for there will not be enough room for them in their own land.11 The Lordt will cross the sea of storms and will calm its turbulence. The depths of the Nile will dry up, the pride of Assyria will be humbled, and the dominationt of Egypt will be no more.

12 Thus I will strengthen them by my power,s and they will walk abouts in my name,” says the Lord.

ZECHARIAH 10

A Bright Future for Judah //and Israel

1 I, the [Lord], am the one
who sends storm clouds
and showers of rain
to make fields produce.
So when the crops need rain,
you should pray to me.

2  t You can't believe idols
and fortunetellers,
or depend on the hope
you receive from witchcraft
and interpreters of dreams.
But you have tried all of these,
and now you are like sheep
without a shepherd.

3 I, the [Lord] All-Powerful,
am fiercely angry
with you leaders,
and I will punish you.
I care for my people,
the nation of Judah,
and I will change
this flock of sheep
into charging war horses.

4 From this flock will come leaders
who will be strong
like cornerstones and tent pegs
and weapons of war.

5 They will join in the fighting,
and together they will trample
their enemies like mud.
They will fight,
because I, the [Lord],
will be on their side.
And they will crush
the enemy cavalry.

6 I will strengthen
the kingdoms of Judah
and Israel.t
And I will show mercy
because I am the [Lord],
their God.
I will answer their prayers
and bring them home.
Then it will seem as though
I had never rejected them.

7 Israelt will be like
a tribe of warriors
celebrating with wine.
When their children see this,
they will also be happy
because of me, the [Lord].

8 I will give a signal
for them to come together
because I have rescued them.
And there will be as many
as ever before.

9  t Although I scattered my people
in distant countries,
they won't forget me.
Once their children are raised, t
they will return—

10 I will bring them home
from Egypt and Assyria,
then let them settle
as far as Gilead and Lebanon,
until the land overflows
with them.

11 My people will go through
an ocean of troubles,
but I will overcome the waves
and dry up the deepest part
of the Nile.
Assyria's great pride
will be put down,
and the power of Egypt
will disappear.

12 I'll strengthen my people
because of who I am,
and they will follow me.
I, the [Lord], have spoken!