^{1 Ref} Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, `even of' Jehovah that maketh lightnings; and he will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

^{2 Ref} For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.

^{3 Ref} Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his goodly horse in the battle.

^{4 Ref} From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.

^{5 Ref} And they shall be as mighty men, treading down `their enemies' in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Jehovah is with them; and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

^{6 Ref} And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Jehovah their God, and I will hear them.

^{7 Ref} 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 rejoice; their heart shall be glad in Jehovah.

^{8 Ref} I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.

^{9 Ref} And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return.

^{10 Ref} 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.

^{11 Ref} And he will pass through the sea of affliction, and will smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up; and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart.

^{12 Ref} And I will strengthen them in Jehovah; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith Jehovah.

^{1 Ref} Make your request to the Lord for rain in the time of the spring rains, even to the Lord who makes the thunder-flames; and he will give them showers of rain, to every man grass in the field.

^{2 Ref} For the images have said what is not true, and the readers of signs have seen deceit; they have given accounts of false dreams, they give comfort to no purpose: so they go out of the way like sheep, they are troubled because they have no keeper.

^{3 Ref} My wrath is burning against the keepers of the flock, and I will send punishment on the he-goats: for the Lord of armies takes care of his flock, the people of Judah, and will make them like the horse of his pride in the fight.

^{4 Ref} From him will come the keystone, from him the nail, from him the bow of war, from him will come every ruler;

^{5 Ref} Together they will be like men of war, crushing down their haters into the earth of the streets in the fight; they will make war because the Lord is with them: and the horsemen will be shamed.

^{6 Ref} And I will make the children of Judah strong, and I will be the saviour of the children of Joseph, and I will make them come back again, for I have had mercy on them: they will be as if I had not given them up: for I am the Lord their God and I will give them an answer.

^{7 Ref} And Ephraim will be like a man of war, and their hearts will be glad as with wine; and their children will see it with joy; their hearts will be glad in the Lord.

^{8 Ref} With the sound of the pipe I will get them together; for I have given the price to make them free: and they will be increased as they were increased.

^{9 Ref} Though I had them planted among the peoples, they will keep me in mind in far countries: and they will take care of their children and will come back.

^{10 Ref} And I will make them come back out of the land of Egypt, and will get them together out of Assyria; and I will take them into the land of Gilead, and it will not be wide enough for them.

^{11 Ref} And they will go through the sea of Egypt, and all the deep waters of the Nile will become dry: and the pride of Assyria will be made low, and the power of Egypt will be taken away.

^{12 Ref} And their strength will be in the Lord; and their pride will be in his name, says the Lord.