- 1
- ¶ ASK from the LORD rain in the season of latter rain;
and the LORD shall make gentle showers, and give you the early rain which causes the grass to grow in the field.
- 2
- For the learned men have spoken iniquity, and the diviners have seen a lie and have told false dreams;
they comfort in vain; therefore the people went their way like a flock, they were afflicted because they had no shepherd.
- 3
- My anger is raging against the shepherds, and I will punish the flocks;
for the LORD of hosts has visited his flock the house of Judah, and has made them as a splendid horse in the battle.
- 4
- Out of them shall come forth the cornerstone, out of them the nail, out of them the battle bow, and out of them all their rulers together.
- 5
- ¶ And they shall be like mighty men who tread mire in the streets in the battle;
they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
- 6
- And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back again;
for I will have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not forgotten them; for I am the LORD God and will answer them.
- 7
- And they shall become like the mighty men of Ephraim, and their hearts shall rejoice as with wine;
yea, their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD.
- 8
- I will whistle for them and gather them;
for I will save them; and they shall increase as they were before increased.
- 9
- And I will scatter them among the nations, yet they shall praise me in far countries;
and they shall rear their children and return again.
- 10
- And I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them out of Assyria;
and I will bring them back to the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and the lands shall not be enough for them.
- 11
- And they shall pass through the sea of affliction, and he shall turn back the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall dry up;
and the pride of Assyria shall cease, and the government of Egypt shall pass away.
- 12
- And I will strengthen them in the LORD;
and they shall preach the good tidings of his name, says the LORD.
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