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 from Yahweh rain at [the] time of spring rain Yahweh [is] making thunder-clouds and rain of rain he gives to them to everyone vegetation 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 teraphim they speak wickedness and the diviners they see falsehood and [the] dreams of worthlessness they speak futility they comfort! there-fore they have set out like sheep they are afflicted for there not [is] a 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.

Towards the shepherds it has burned anger my and on the leaders I will visit [judgment] for he visits Yahweh of hosts flock his [the] house of Judah and he will make them like [the] horse of majesty his 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 it a corner from it a peg from it a bow of war from it he will come forth every ruler 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.

And they will be like warriors treading down in [the] mud of [the] streets in battle and they will fight for Yahweh [will be] with them and they will put to shame 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].

And I will make strong - [the] house of Judah and [the] house of Joseph I will save and I will restore them for I have compassion on them and they will be just as not I had rejected them for I [am] Yahweh God their and I 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 will be like a warrior Ephraim and it will be glad heart their like wine and children their they will see and they will be glad it may rejoice heart their 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 whistle for them and I will gather them for I have redeemed them and they will multiply as they 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].

And I will sow them among the peoples and in the distant places they will remember me and they will live with children their and they will 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 back them from [the] land of Egypt and from Assyria I will gather them and to [the] land of Gilead and Lebanon I will bring them and not it will 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].

And he will pass in the sea trouble and he will strike in the sea waves and they will dry up all [the] depths of [the] River and it will be brought down [the] pride of Assyria and [the] scepter of Egypt it will 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 strong them by Yahweh and in name his they will go about [the] utterance of Yahweh.