1Ask[H7592] ye of the LORD[H3068]rain[H4306] in the time[H6256] of the latter rain[H4456]; so the LORD[H3068] shall make[H6213] bright clouds[H2385], and give[H5414] them showers[H1653] of rain[H4456], to every one[H376]grass[H6212] in the field[H7704].
2
For the idols[H8655] have spoken[H1696]vanity[H205], and the diviners[H7080] have seen[H2372] a lie[H8267], and have told[H1696]false[H7723]dreams[H2472]; they comfort[H5162] in vain[H1892]: therefore they went[H5265] their way as a flock[H6629], they were troubled[H6031], because there was no shepherd[H7462].
3
Mine anger[H639] was kindled[H2734] against the shepherds[H7462], and I punished[H6485] the goats[H6260]: for the LORD[H3068] of hosts[H6635] hath visited[H6485] his flock[H5739] the house[H1004] of Judah[H3063], and hath made[H7760] them as his goodly[H1935]horse[H5483] in the battle[H4421].
4
Out of him came forth[H3318] the corner[H6438], out of him the nail[H3489], out of him the battle[H4421]bow[H7198], out of him every oppressor[H5065]together[H3162].
5
And they shall be as mighty[H1368] men, which tread down[H947] their enemies in the mire[H2916] of the streets[H2351] in the battle[H4421]: and they shall fight[H3898], because the LORD[H3068] is with them, and the riders[H7392] on horses[H5483] shall be confounded[H3001].
6
And I will strengthen[H1396] the house[H1004] of Judah[H3063], and I will save[H3467] the house[H1004] of Joseph[H3130], and I will bring them again to place[H3427] them; for I have mercy[H7355] upon them: and they shall be as though[H834] I had not cast them off[H2186]: for I am the LORD[H3068] their God[H430], and will hear[H6030] them.
7
And they of Ephraim[H669] shall be like a mighty[H1368] man, and their heart[H3820] shall rejoice[H8055] as through wine[H3196]: yea, their children[H1121] shall see[H7200] it, and be glad[H8055]; their heart[H3820] shall rejoice[H1523] in the LORD[H3068].
8
I will hiss[H8319] for them, and gather[H6908] them; for I have redeemed[H6299] them: and they shall increase[H7235] as they have increased[H7235].
9
And I will sow[H2232] them among the people[H5971]: and they shall remember[H2142] me in far countries[H4801]; and they shall live[H2421] with their children[H1121], and turn again[H7725].
10
I will bring[H935] them again[H7725] also out of the land[H776] of Egypt[H4714], and gather[H6908] them out of Assyria[H804]; and I will bring[H935] them into the land[H776] of Gilead[H1568] and Lebanon[H3844]; and place shall not be found[H4672] for them.
11
And he shall pass through[H5674] the sea[H3220] with affliction[H6869], and shall smite[H5221] the waves[H1530] in the sea[H3220], and all the deeps[H4688] of the river[H2975] shall dry up[H3001]: and the pride[H1347] of Assyria[H804] shall be brought down[H3381], and the sceptre[H7626] of Egypt[H4714] shall depart away[H5493].
12
And I will strengthen[H1396] them in the LORD[H3068]; and they shall walk up and down[H1980] in his name[H8034], saith[H5002] the LORD[H3068].