Restoration of Judah and Israel
1 AsktheLordforrain
# Inthe time of the latter rain.
TheLordwill make flashing clouds;
He will give them showers of rain,
Grass in the field for everyone.
2 For theidols speak delusion;
# The diviners envisionlies,
And tell false dreams;
# Theycomfort in vain.
# Thereforethepeoplewend their way likesheep;
# They are in troublebecausethereisno shepherd.
3 “My anger is kindled against theshepherds,
# And I will punish the goatherds.
# For theLordof hostswill visit His flock,
The house of Judah,
# Andwill make them as His royal horse in the battle.
4 From him comesthe cornerstone,
# From himthe tent peg,
From him the battle bow,
From him every ruler together.
5 They shall be like mighty men,
# Whotread downtheirenemies
In the mire of the streets in the battle.
They shall fight because theLordis with them,
And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.
6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph.
# I will bring them back,
# Because Ihave mercy on them.
They shall be as though I had not cast them aside;
For IamtheLordtheir God,
# And Iwill hear them.
7 ThoseofEphraim shall be like a mighty man,
# And theirheart shall rejoice as if with wine.
Yes, their children shall seeitand be glad;
Their heart shall rejoice in theLord.
8 I willwhistle for them and gather them,
For I will redeem them;
# And they shall increase as they once increased.
9 “Iwill sow them among the peoples,
# And they shallremember Me in far countries;
They shall live, together with their children,
And they shall return.
10 I will also 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 nomoreroomis found for them.
11 He shall pass through the sea with affliction,
And strike the waves of the sea:
All the depths of the River shall dry up.
# Thenthe pride of Assyria shall be brought down,
# Andthe scepter of Egypt shall depart.
12 “So I will strengthen them in theLord,
# Andthey shall walk up and down in His name,”
Says theLord.