Zechariah 10

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

1Ask the LORD for rain when the spring rains should come. The LORD is the one who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to everyone. He makes crops grow in the fields.

NoteThe "latter rain" was the spring rain that came near harvest time. Farmers needed it for their crops to finish growing.

2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

2Idols only tell lies. Fortune-tellers, people who claim to know the future, see things that are not real. They tell dreams that are not true. The comfort they give is empty. So the people wander around like sheep. They are hurting, because they have no shepherd to lead them.

3Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

3God says, "I am angry with the shepherds, the leaders who should care for my people. I will punish those leaders. The LORD who commands heaven's armies is taking care of his flock, the people of Judah. He will make them like a king's proud warhorse in battle."

4Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

4From Judah will come the cornerstone that holds the building straight. From Judah will come the tent peg that holds everything up. From Judah will come the bow for battle. From Judah will come every ruler.

NoteA cornerstone is the first stone laid, and it keeps the whole building straight. A tent peg is driven into the ground to hold a tent up. Both are pictures of someone who holds things together.

5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

5They will be like strong soldiers in the fight. They will tramp their enemies down in the muddy streets. They will fight, because the LORD is with them. The enemy soldiers on horses will lose and be ashamed.

6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

6God says, "I will make the family of Judah strong. I will save the family of Joseph. I will bring them back home, because I feel sorry for them. It will be as if I had never sent them away. I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them."

7And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

7The people of Ephraim will be like strong soldiers. Their hearts will be happy, the way wine makes people cheerful. Their children will see it and be glad. Their hearts will be full of joy because of the LORD.

8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.

8God says, "I will whistle for them and call them together. I have bought them back and set them free. There will be as many of them as there were long ago."

NoteThe King James wording says "hiss," which sounds unkind today. It means to whistle, the way a shepherd whistles to call his sheep.

9And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

9God says, "I scattered them among other nations, the way a farmer scatters seed. Even in faraway lands they will remember me. They and their children will live, and they will come back home."

10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.

10God says, "I will bring them back from the land of Egypt. I will gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon. There will not be enough room for all of them."

11And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

11They will pass through the sea of trouble. He will strike the waves of the sea. All the deep water of the river will dry up. Proud Assyria will be brought down low. Egypt will lose its power to rule.

12And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

12God says, "I will make my people strong in the LORD. They will live and walk in his name." That is what the LORD says.