UST ZEC Chapter 10

◄ ZEC 10 ► ║ ═ ©

10 Ask Yahweh to send rain in the springtime, because he is the one who makes the storm clouds. He gives people showers of rain, and he makes plants grow in their fields.2 The household idols that people consult tell them worthless things, and those who practice divination see false visions; the dreams they describe are lies, and the comfort they give is empty. So the people wander about helplessly and suffer, because they have no leader to guide and protect them, just as sheep suffer when they have no shepherd.

3 Yahweh says, “I am very angry with the leaders of my people, and I will punish those rulers. I, Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, care for my people, the people of Judah, as a shepherd cares for his flock, and I will make them strong, like a splendid warhorse in battle.4 All their rulers will come from the tribe of Judah. Some will support the people, as a cornerstone supports a building; some will hold them together, as a tent peg holds up a tent; and some will lead them in battle, as a warrior holds his bow in war. Yes, from Judah every ruler will come.5 Those rulers and their people will be like mighty warriors who trample their enemies into the mud of the streets during battle. They will fight and win, because I, Yahweh, am with them, and they will completely defeat even their most powerful enemies.

6 Because I am Yahweh their God and I pity my people, I will answer them when they pray to me. I will make the people of Judah strong, and I will rescue the people of Israel. I will bring them back to their own land. Then it will be like I had never rejected them.7 The people of Ephraim will be strong like warriors, and they will be as happy as people who have drunk wine. Their children will see it and be glad; they will celebrate loudly because of what I, Yahweh, have done.

8 I will whistle to signal my people, and I will gather them together, because I have rescued them; and they will become as numerous as they were before.9 Even though I scatter my people among the nations, they will remember me even in those distant lands. They and their children will survive, and they will return to their land.10 I will bring them back from Egypt in the south and gather them from Assyria in the north. I will bring them to the region of Gilead and to Lebanon, and there will not be enough room for them all.

11 Even though my people’s troubles seem like a terrifying sea I will bring them safely home. I will subdue those troubles completely, as if I were striking down the waves of the sea and drying up the deep waters of the Nile River. I will humble the proud army of Assyria, and I will take away the royal power of Egypt.12 I will make my people strong by my power, and they will live faithfully, honoring my authority. That is what I, Yahweh, declare.”

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