1 ¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain, so the LORD shall make lightnings and shall give you abundant rain and grass in the field to each one.

Ask the Lord for rain in the spring time. It is the Lord Who makes the storm clouds. He gives rain to men, and gives vegetables in the field to every one.

2 F or the idols have spoken vanity and the diviners have seen a lie and have told vain dreams; they comfort in vain; therefore they went their way like sheep; they were humbled because there was no shepherd.

The false gods say what is not true. Those who use their secret ways tell lies about the false dreams they have seen. Their comfort means nothing. So the people go from place to place like sheep and are troubled because they have no shepherd.

3 M y anger is kindled against the pastors, and I will visit the he goats, for the LORD of the hosts shall visit his flock, the house of Judah, and shall make them as his horse of honour in the battle.

“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the Lord of All has visited His flock, the people of Judah, and will make them like His proud horse in battle.

4 O ut of him shall come the corner, out of him the stake, out of him the battle bow, out of him also every oppressor.

From them will come the cornerstone. From them will come the tent nail. From them will come the bow of battle. And from them will come every ruler.

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

Together they will be like powerful men, crushing under foot those who hate them into the mud of the streets. They will fight and win the battle against the horsemen because the Lord is with them.

6 F or I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will keep the house of Joseph, and I will cause them to return; for I shall have compassion 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.

I will give strength to the family of Judah. I will save the family of Joseph, and I will bring them back, because I have loving-pity on them. They will be as if I had not turned away from them. For I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.

7 A nd those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine, their sons shall also see it and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

Ephraim will be like a powerful man. Their hearts will be glad as with wine. And their children will see it and be glad. Their hearts will have joy in the Lord.

8 I will hiss for them and gather them; for I have ransomed them; and they shall be multiplied as they were multiplied.

I will call them together, for I have saved them and set them free. And they will be as many as they were before.

9 I t was good that I planted them among the peoples; even in far countries there shall be mention made of me; and they shall live with their sons and turn again.

Even when I send them everywhere among the nations, they will remember Me in far countries. They and their children will live and return.

10 I 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.

I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon until there is no more room for them.

11 A nd the tribulation shall pass through the sea 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 be lost.

When they pass through the sea of trouble, I will hold back the waves in the sea. The whole Nile River will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and Egypt will lose its power.

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

I will make My people Israel strong in the Lord, and they will walk in His name,” says the Lord.