1 Ask ye of the Lord rain in season, the early and the latter: the Lord has given bright signs, and will give them {Gr. stormy} abundant rain, to every one grass in the field. 2 For the speakers have uttered grievous things, and the diviners have {Or, related} seen false visions, and they have spoken false dreams, they have given vain comfort: therefore have they {Gr. been dried up} fallen away like sheep, and been afflicted, because there was no healing. 3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I will {Or, oversee, or, look upon} visit the lambs; and the Lord God Almighty shall visit his flock, the house of Juda, and he shall make them as his goodly horse in war. 4 And from him he {hnp ambiguous} looked, and from him he set the battle in order, and from him came the bow in anger, and from him shall come forth every {Lit. he that expels} oppressor together. 5 And they shall be as warriors treading clay in the ways in war; and they shall set the battle in array, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be put to shame. 6 And I will strengthen the house of Juda, and save the house of Joseph, and I will settle them; because I have loved them: and they shall be as if I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and I will hear them. 7 And they shall be as the warriors of Ephraim, and their heart shall rejoice as with wine: and their children also shall see it, and be glad; and their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. 8 I will make a sign to them, and gather them in; for I will redeem them, and they shall be multiplied according to their number before. 9 And I will sow them among the people; and they that are afar off shall remember me: they shall nourish their children, and they shall return. 10 And I will bring them again from the land of Egypt, and I will gather them in from among the Assyrians; and I will bring them into the land of Galaad and to Libanus; and there shall not even one of them be left behind. 11 And they shall pass through a narrow sea, they shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deep places of the rivers shall be dried up: and all the pride of the Assyrians shall be taken away, and the sceptre of Egypt shall be removed. 12 And I will strengthen them in the Lord their God; and they shall boast in his name, saith the Lord.