Bible

1 Ask ADONAI for rain in the spring, ADONAI who makes the rain clouds; and he will give them showers of rain, grass in the field to each one. 2 For the household gods talk nonsense, the diviners have seen a lie; their dreams convey delusions, and the comfort they offer is in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep in distress from lack of a shepherd. 3 "My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will vent it on the leaders of the flock." For ADONAI-Tzva'ot will care for his flock, the people of Y'hudah; he will make them like his royal war-horse. 4 From them come cornerstone and tent peg, from them the bow for battle, from them all the rulers together. 5 They will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, because ADONAI is with them; they will rout even those on horseback. 6 "I will strengthen the house of Y'hudah and save the house of Yosef. I will bring them back in my compassion for them; they will be as if I hadn't driven them out; for I am ADONAI their God, and I will answer them. 7 Efrayim's men will be like warriors; their hearts will be cheered as if from wine. Their children will see it and rejoice, their hearts will be glad in ADONAI. 8 "I will whistle for them and gather them, because I have redeemed them; they will be as numerous as they were before; 9 and I will sow them among the peoples. In distant lands they will remember me; they will rear their children and then return. 10 I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them out of Ashur. I will bring them into Gil'ad and the L'vanon, until there is no more room for them. 11 "Trouble will pass over the sea and stir up waves in the sea; all the depths of the Nile will be dried up, the pride of Ashur will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will leave. 12 But I will strengthen [Isra'el] in ADONAI; they will travel here and there in his name," says ADONAI.