Zechariah 10

1 Ask [inquire of, seek from] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] for rain [water from the sky, a common weather phenomenon] in springtime [the time of the latter rain, before the hot season starts]; the LORD [the supreme God] makes [creates, brings into existence] the storm clouds [bright clouds, lightnings], and He will give [provide, bestow upon] everyone [each person, every man] showers of rain [rain in showers, a refreshing downpour] and crops [vegetation, grass] in the field [a flat area of land, used for cultivation]. word study 2 For idols [teraphim, household images] speak deceit [evil, wickedness] and diviners [fortune-tellers, soothsayers] see illusions [false visions, lies]; they tell false dreams [vain, empty visions] and offer empty comfort [vain, useless consolation]. Therefore the people wander like sheep [without guidance, lost], oppressed [afflicted, troubled] for lack of a shepherd [no leader, no protector]. word study 3 “My anger [is kindled, burns intensely] burns against the shepherds [leaders, caretakers], and I will punish [visit upon, reckon with] the leaders [goats, those in charge]. For the LORD [Yehovah] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] attends to [visits, oversees] His flock [people, congregation], the house of Judah [the tribe of Judah, God’s people]; He will make them like [as strong as, comparable to] His royal [majestic, splendid] steed [horse, warhorse] in battle [war, conflict]. word study 4 The cornerstone [corner, chief ruler] will come from Judah, the tent peg [nail, small but crucial piece] from him, as well as the battle [war, conflict] bow [an archer’s weapon] and every ruler [oppressor, exactor] together [in unity, as one]. word study 5 They will be like mighty men [strong warriors, champions] in battle, trampling [treading down, crushing] the enemy in the mire [mud, clay] of the streets [outside, outdoors]. They will fight [engage in combat, struggle] because the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] is with [together, accompanying] them, and they will put the horsemen [riders on horses, cavalry] to shame [be confounded, wither away]. word study 6 I will strengthen [make mighty, empower] the house [family, tribe] of Judah and save [rescue, deliver] the house [family, tribe] of Joseph. I will restore [bring back, revive] them because I have compassion [mercy, pity] on them, and they will be as though [as if] I had not rejected [cast off, abandoned] them. For I am the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] their God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], and I will answer [respond, hear] them. word study 7 Ephraim [the tribe of Israel, doubly fruitful] will be like a mighty man [a strong warrior, a champion], and their hearts [the seat of feelings, and intellect] will be glad [rejoice, delighted] as with wine [intoxicated, joyful]. Their children [sons, descendants] will see it [perceive, understand] and be joyful [rejoice, glad]; their hearts [the center of emotions] will rejoice [be glad, delighted] in the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 8 I will whistle [hiss, signal] for them to gather [collect, assemble], for I have redeemed [ransomed, set free] them; and they will be as numerous [multiply, increase] as they once were [previously, in the past]. word study 9 Though I sow [scatter like seed] them among the nations [peoples, Gentiles], they will remember [recall, think of] Me in distant [far-off, remote] lands; they and their children [sons, descendants] will live [have life, thrive] and return [turn back, come again]. word study 10 I will bring them back [out of bondage, from captivity] from Egypt [the land of the Egyptians] and gather [collect, assemble] them from Assyria [a region of exile]. I will bring them to [toward, into] Gilead [a mountainous region, a place of refuge] and Lebanon [a land of beauty] until no more room [space, place] is found for them [to live, to dwell]. word study 11 They will pass through the sea [of affliction, trouble] of distress and strike [smite, hit] the waves [heaps, billows] of the sea; all [everything] the depths [low areas, deep places] of the Nile [a river, stream] will dry up [wither, be ashamed]. The pride [excellence, majesty] of Assyria [Asshur, a nation] will be brought down [humbled, lowered], and the scepter [staff] of Egypt [a country, nation] will depart [turn aside, remove]. word study 12 I will strengthen [make mighty, empower] them in the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], and in His name [character, reputation, authority] they will walk [go, proceed, follow],” declares [says, utters, pronounces] the LORD [Yehovah]. word study