1Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. Then the LORD will make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, and grass in the field for everyone.
2For the idols have spoken empty words, and the fortune-tellers have seen a lie, and have told false dreams. Their comfort is worth nothing. So the people went their way like a flock; they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
3My anger burned against the shepherds, and I punished the goats. For the LORD of hosts has come to care for his flock, the house of Judah, and has made them like his splendid horse in the battle.
4Out of him came the cornerstone, out of him the tent peg, out of him the battle bow, out of him every ruler together.
5They will be like mighty men, who trample down their enemies in the mud of the streets in the battle. They will fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses will be put to shame.
6"I will make the house of Judah strong, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back and settle them, for I have mercy on them. They will be as though I had never cast them off, for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them."
7"The people of Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be glad; their heart will rejoice in the LORD."
8"I will whistle for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will grow in number as they grew before."
9"I will scatter them like seed among the nations. They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children, and they will come back."
10"I will also bring them again out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them."
11He will pass through the sea of trouble, and strike the waves in the sea, and all the deep places of the river will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the royal staff of Egypt will be taken away.
12"I will make them strong in the LORD, and they will walk up and down in his name," says the LORD.