1 Ask rain from Yahweh in the season of [the] spring rain-- Yahweh, who makes storm clouds, and he gives showers of rain to them, to everyone vegetation in the field.
2 Because the household gods speak deceit, and those who practice divination see a lie, and the dreamers of vanity speak in vain. Therefore [the people] wander like sheep; they are afflicted because there is no shepherd.
3 {My anger burns} against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders, because Yahweh of hosts watches over his flock, the house of Judah; and he will make them like his majestic horse in war.
4 From them [the] cornerstone will go out, from them [the] tent peg, from them [the] battle bow, from them every ruler, [all] together.
5 And they will be like warriors, trampling in the mud of [the] streets in the battle. They will fight, because Yahweh [is] with them, and they will put to shame [the] riders on horses.
6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and the house of Joseph I will save. And I will bring them back, because I have compassion on them, and they will be as if I had not rejected them, for I [am] Yahweh their God, and I will answer them.
7 And [the people of] Ephraim will be like warrior, and their heart will be glad as [with] wine. And their children will see and rejoice; their heart will shout in exultation in Yahweh.
8 I will whistle to them and gather them, for I have redeemed them, and they will become numerous as they have been numerous [before].
9 Though I sow them among the nations, in the distant places they will remember me, and they will stay alive with their children, and they will return.
10 And I will bring them back from the land of Egypt, and from Assyria I will gather them. To the land of Gilead and Lebanon I will bring them, until no [room] will be found for them [there].
11 And he will pass through the sea of distress, and he will strike the waves of the sea, and all [the] depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought low, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 I will make them strong in Yahweh, and in his name they will walk, {declares} Yahweh.