Restoration of Judah and Israel

1 AsktheLordforrain

Inthe time of the latter rain.

TheLordwill make flashing clouds;

He will give them showers of rain,

Grass in the field for everyone.

2 For theidols speak delusion;

The diviners envisionlies,

And tell false dreams;

Theycomfort in vain.

Thereforethepeoplewend their way likesheep;

They are in troublebecausethereisno shepherd.

3 “My anger is kindled against theshepherds,

And I will punish the goatherds.

For theLordof hostswill visit His flock,

The house of Judah,

Andwill make them as His royal horse in the battle.

4 From him comesthe cornerstone,

From himthe tent peg,

From him the battle bow,

From him every ruler together.

5 They shall be like mighty men,

Whotread downtheirenemies

In the mire of the streets in the battle.

They shall fight because theLordis with them,

And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.

6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,

And I will save the house of Joseph.

I will bring them back,

Because Ihave mercy on them.

They shall be as though I had not cast them aside;

For IamtheLordtheir God,

And Iwill hear them.

7 ThoseofEphraim shall be like a mighty man,

And theirheart shall rejoice as if with wine.

Yes, their children shall seeitand be glad;

Their heart shall rejoice in theLord.

8 I willwhistle for them and gather them,

For I will redeem them;

And they shall increase as they once increased.

9 “Iwill sow them among the peoples,

And they shallremember Me in far countries;

They shall live, together with their children,

And they shall return.

10 I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt,

And gather them from Assyria.

I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon,

Until nomoreroomis found for them.

11 He shall pass through the sea with affliction,

And strike the waves of the sea:

All the depths of the River shall dry up.

Thenthe pride of Assyria shall be brought down,

Andthe scepter of Egypt shall depart.

12 “So I will strengthen them in theLord,

Andthey shall walk up and down in His name,”

Says theLord.