Ask the LORD for rain in the spring season. It is the LORD who makes lightning flashes and provides abundant rain for everyone, giving vegetation in the fields.

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

For the household idols speak deceit, and the diviners see false visions. They tell deceitful dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore, the people wander like sheep, oppressed because they have no shepherd.

For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts cares for His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like a splendid warhorse.

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the battle bow, and every ruler together.

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

They will be like mighty warriors, trampling through the mire of the streets in battle. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses will be put to shame.

And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and it will be as though I had never rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.

And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Ephraim will be like mighty warriors, and their hearts will rejoice as if from wine. Their children will see it and be happy; their hearts will exult in the LORD.

And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

I will whistle for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will become as numerous as they were before.

I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.

Though I scatter them among the nations, they will remember Me even in distant lands. They will live with their children and return.

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon, but there will not be enough room for them.

I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.

They will cross the sea of distress, striking the waves, and the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will pass away.

And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk, declares the LORD.

And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.