Zechariah 10

1Ask Yahweh for rain in the season of the spring rains. It is Yahweh who makes the storm clouds; he gives people showers of rain and to everyone the plants in the field.

2For the household gods speak deceit, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty comfort. So the people wander like sheep; they suffer because there is no shepherd.

3My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the lead goats. For Yahweh of Armies cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic horse in battle.

4From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.

5They will be like warriors trampling through the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight because Yahweh is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.

6I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am Yahweh their God, and I will answer them.

7Ephraim will be like a warrior, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be glad; their hearts will rejoice in Yahweh.

8I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they will be as many as they were before.

9Though I sow them among the peoples, in distant lands they will remember me. They will survive with their children and return.

10I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, until there is no room left for them.

11He will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.

12I will make them strong in Yahweh, and they will walk in his name, declares Yahweh.