¹Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time ,

the LORD who makes storm clouds ,

and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field .

²For the teraphim have spoken vanity ,[#10:2 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.]

and the diviners have seen a lie ;

and they have told false dreams .

They comfort in vain .

Therefore they go their way like sheep .

They are oppressed , because there is no shepherd .

³My anger is kindled against the shepherds ,

and I will punish the male goats ,

for the LORD of Armies has visited his flock , the house of Judah ,

and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle .

⁴From him will come the cornerstone ,

from him the tent peg ,

from him the battle bow ,

from him every ruler together .

⁵They will be as mighty men ,

treading down muddy streets in the battle .

They will fight , because the LORD is with them .

The riders on horses will be confounded .

⁶“I will strengthen the house of Judah ,

and I will save the house of Joseph .

I will bring them back ,

for I have mercy on them .

They will be as though I had not cast them off ,

for I am the LORD their God , and I will hear them .

⁷Ephraim will be like a mighty man ,

and their heart will rejoice as through wine .

Yes , their children will see it and rejoice .

Their heart will be glad in the LORD .

⁸I will signal for them and gather them ,

for I have redeemed them .

They will increase as they were before.

⁹I will sow them amongst the peoples .

They will remember me in far countries .

They will live with their children and will return .

¹⁰I will bring them again also 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 won’t be room enough for them .

¹¹He will pass through the sea of affliction ,

and will strike the waves in the sea ,

and all the depths of the Nile will dry up ;

and the pride of Assyria will be brought down ,

and the sceptre of Egypt will depart .

¹²I will strengthen them in the LORD .

They will walk up and down in his name ,” says the LORD .