1 Ask Adonai for rain in spring! Adonai makes the storm clouds and will give rain showers and plants of the field to everyone.
2 The idols utter deceit and diviners see lies. They relate false dreams and comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep, afflicted because there is no shepherd.
3 My anger burns against the shepherds and I will punish the leaders. Adonai-Tzva’ot cares for His flock, the house of Judah. He will make them His valiant steed in battle.
4 From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow and from him every leader together.
5 They will be like mighty men treading down muddy streets in war. They will fight, because Adonai is with them and will put horsemen to shame.
6 I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, for I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had never spurned them, for I am Adonai their God and I will answer them!
7 The Ephraimites will be like a warrior. Their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see and be glad. Their hearts will rejoice in Adonai.
8 I will signal for them and gather them. Surely I will redeem them and they will be as numerous as before.
9 Though I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in distant places. They and their children will survive and return.
10 I will restore from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon till there is no room for them.
11 He will cross the turbulent sea and calm its raging waves. All the depths of the Nile will dry up, the pride of Assyria brought down, the scepter of Egypt removed.
12 So I will strengthen them in Adonai and they will walk in His Name. It is a declaration of Adonai.