1 T hey asked of Jehovah rain in a time of latter rain, Jehovah is making lightnings, And rain showers He doth give to them. To each -- the herb in the field.

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 B ecause the teraphim did speak iniquity, And the diviners have seen a falsehood, And dreams of the vanity they speak, vanity they give comfort, Therefore they have journeyed as a flock, They are afflicted, for there is no shepherd.

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 A gainst the shepherds did Mine anger burn, And against the he-goats I lay a charge, For inspected hath Jehovah of Hosts His flock, the house of Judah, And set them as His beauteous horse in battle.

“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 F rom him a corner-stone, From him a nail, from him a battle-bow, From him goeth forth every exactor together.

“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 A nd they have been as heroes, Treading in mire of out-places in battle, And they have fought, for Jehovah with them, And have put to shame riders of horses.

“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 A nd I have made mighty the house of Judah, And the house of Joseph I do save, And I have caused them to dwell, for I have loved them, And they have been as I had not cast them off, For I Jehovah their God, And I answer them.

“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 A nd Ephraim hath been as a hero, And rejoiced hath their heart as wine, And their sons see, and they have rejoiced, Rejoice doth their heart in Jehovah.

“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 hist for them, and I gather them, For I have redeemed them, And they have multiplied as they did multiply.

“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 A nd I sow them among peoples, And in far-off places they remember Me, And they have lived with their sons, And they have turned back.

“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 A nd I have brought them back from the land of Egypt, And from Asshur I do gather them, And unto the land of Gilead and Lebanon I do bring them in, And there is not found for them.

“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 A nd He hath passed over through the sea, And hath pressed and smitten billows in the sea, And dried up have been all depths of a flood, And brought down hath been the excellency of Asshur, And the rod of Egypt doth turn aside.

“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 A nd I have made them mighty in Jehovah, And in His name they walk up and down, An affirmation of Jehovah!

“And I will strengthen them in the Lord, And in His name they will walk,” declares the Lord.