MLV(i)
1 Ask you* of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, even of Jehovah who makes lightnings and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field.
2 For the household-idol 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 My anger is kindled against the shepherds and I will punish the male-goats. For Jehovah of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. 4 From him will come out the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 5 And they will be as mighty men, treading down their enemies in the mud of the streets in the battle. And they will fight, because Jehovah is with them and the riders on horses will 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. For I have mercy upon them and they will be as though I had not cast them off. For I am Jehovah their God and I will hear them. 7 And Ephraim will be like a mighty man and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their sons will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in Jehovah.
8 I will whistle for them and gather them. For I have redeemed them and they will increase as they have increased. 9 And I will sow them among the peoples and they will remember me in far countries. And they will live with their sons and will return.
10 I will also bring them again 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 until space will not be found for them. 11 And he will pass through the sea of affliction and will kill* the waves in the sea and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. And the pride of Assyria will be brought down and the scepter of Egypt will depart. 12 And I will strengthen them in Jehovah and they will walk up and down in his name, says Jehovah.
3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds and I will punish the male-goats. For Jehovah of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. 4 From him will come out the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 5 And they will be as mighty men, treading down their enemies in the mud of the streets in the battle. And they will fight, because Jehovah is with them and the riders on horses will 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. For I have mercy upon them and they will be as though I had not cast them off. For I am Jehovah their God and I will hear them. 7 And Ephraim will be like a mighty man and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their sons will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in Jehovah.
8 I will whistle for them and gather them. For I have redeemed them and they will increase as they have increased. 9 And I will sow them among the peoples and they will remember me in far countries. And they will live with their sons and will return.
10 I will also bring them again 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 until space will not be found for them. 11 And he will pass through the sea of affliction and will kill* the waves in the sea and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. And the pride of Assyria will be brought down and the scepter of Egypt will depart. 12 And I will strengthen them in Jehovah and they will walk up and down in his name, says Jehovah.