[1] Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain- The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man. [2] For the teraphim speak iniquity, And the diviners see lying visions And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep, They are afflicted, because there is no shepherd. [3] "My anger is kindled against the shepherds, And I will punish the male goats; For the LORD of hosts has visited His flock, the house of Judah, And will make them like His majestic horse in battle. [4] "From them will come the cornerstone, From them the tent peg, From them the bow of battle, From them every ruler, all of them together. [5] "They will be as mighty men, Treading down the enemy in the mire of the streets in battle; And they will fight, for the LORD will be with them; And the riders on horses will be put to shame. [6] "I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph, And I will bring them back, Because I have had compassion on them; And they will be as though I had not rejected them, For I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. [7] "Ephraim will be like a mighty man, And their heart will be glad as if from wine; Indeed, their children will see it and be glad, Their heart will rejoice in the LORD. [8] "I will whistle for them to gather them together, For I have redeemed them; And they will be as numerous as they were before. [9] "When I scatter them among the peoples, They will remember Me in far countries, And they with their children will live and come back. [10] "I will bring them back from the land of Egypt And gather them from Assyria; And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon Until no room can be found for them. [11] "And they will pass through the sea of distress And He will strike the waves in the sea, So that 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] "And I will strengthen them in the LORD, And in His name they will walk," declares the LORD.
