The Word Am I

The Prophet Zechariah

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- Chapter 10 -

1
Petition before the Lord for rain in the latter time, and the Lord will produce snows and will give showers of rain to them, to each blade in the field.
2
For the images have been speaking what is useless, and the diviners have seen a lie, and the dreamers have been speaking false hope: they have comforted in vain. For this reason, they have been led away like a flock; they will be afflicted, because they have no shepherd.(a)
3
My fury has been kindled over the shepherds, and I will visit upon the he-goats. For the Lord of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and he has set them like the horse of his glory in the war.(b)
4
From him will go forth the angle, from him the wooden peg, from him the bow of battle, from him every exactor at the same time.
5
And they will be like the strong, trampling the mud of the ways in battle. And they will fight, for the Lord is with them. And the riders of the horses will be confounded.
6
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will convert them, because I will have mercy on them. And they will be as they were when I had not cast them away. For I am the Lord their God, and I will hear them.
7
And they will be like the strong of Ephraim, and their heart will rejoice as if by wine, and their sons will see and will rejoice, and their heart will exult in the Lord.
8
I will whistle for them, and I will gather them together, because I have redeemed them. And I will multiply them, as they had been multiplied before.
9
And I will sow them among the peoples, and from far away they will remember me. And they will live with their sons, and they will return.(c)
10
And I will lead them back from the land of Egypt, and I will gather them from among the Assyrians, and I will lead them to the land of Gilead and Lebanon, and no place will be left that has not been found by them.(d)
11
And he will pass over the narrow passage of the sea, and he will strike the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the river will be confounded, and the arrogance of Assyria will be brought low, and the scepter of Egypt will withdraw.
12
I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they will walk in his name, says the Lord.

Footnotes

(a)10:2 The images that have been speaking what is useless (or what is harmful) are, in the modern context, the shows on television and other forms of media that use images.(Conte)
(b)10:3 The translation ‘visit’ is somewhat awkward in English, but a less awkward translation would also be less accurate and would not convey the multiple levels of meaning of the term. Notice that ‘visit’ can mean to afflict, as in the first use of the word in this verse, or it can mean to bless, as in the second use in this verse.(Conte)
(c)10:9 They will live with their sons, and they [their sons] will return.(Conte)
(d)10:10 This last phrase means that there will be no place left unoccupied in the land to which they will be led. It is not that some persons will not find a place, but rather that every place will be filled.(Conte)
1
Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, the LORD who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
2
For the teraphim (a) have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
3
My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats, for the LORD of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
4
From him will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
5
They will be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle. They will fight, because the LORD is with them. The riders on horses will be confounded.
6
“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, for I have mercy on them. They will be as though I had not cast them off, for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them.
7
Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their children will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in the LORD.
8
I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before.
9
I will sow them among the peoples. They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children and will return.
10
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for them.
11
He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12
I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will walk up and down in his name,” says the LORD.

Footnotes

(a)10:2 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.
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