1 When there had been no rain for a long time, the Lord told me to say to the people:
2 Judah and Jerusalem weepas the land dries up.
3 Rulers send their servantsto the storage pits for water.But there's none to be found;they return in despairwith their jars still empty.
4 There has been no rain,and farmers feel sickas they watch cracks appearin the dry ground.
5 A deer gives birth in a field,then abandons her newborn fawnand leaves in search of grass.
6 Wild donkeys go blindfrom starvation.So they stand on barren hilltopsand sniff the air,hoping to smell green grass.
7 Our terrible sins may demandthat we be punished.But if you rescue us, Lord,everyone will seehow great you are.