The Restoration for Judah and Israel
1
Ask rain 1from the LORD in the season of 2the spring rain, from the LORD 3who makes the storm clouds, and 4he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.
2
For 5the household gods 6utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; 7they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore 8the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.
3
9"My anger is hot against the shepherds, and 10I will punish the leaders;a for 11the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
4
From him shall come 12the cornerstone, from him 13the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler--14all of them together.
5
They shall be like mighty men in battle, 15trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and they shall put to shame 16the riders on horses.
6
17"I will strengthen the house of Judah, and 18I will save the house of Joseph. 19I will bring them back 20because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for 21I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
7
Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and 22their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD.
8
23"I will whistle for them and 24gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and 25they shall be as many as they were before.
9
26Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries 27they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return.
10
28I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and 29I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, 30till there is no room for them.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)