Judah and Israel Will Be Restored 1 UEB Ask for rain from Yahweh in the season of the spring rain— Yahweh who makes thunderstorms— and he gives rain showers to everyone and vegetation in the field. BSB BSB: Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.
2 UEB For household idols speak falsely; the diviners envision a lie; they tell deceitful dreams and give empty comfort, so they wander like sheep and suffer because there is no shepherd. BSB BSB: For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
3 UEB "My wrath burns against the shepherds; it is the male goats—the leaders—that I will punish. Yahweh of hosts will also attend to his flock, the house of Judah, and make them like his warhorse in battle! BSB BSB: “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.
4 UEB From Judah will come the cornerstone; from him will come the tent peg; from him will come the war bow; from him will come every ruler together. BSB BSB: The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.
5 UEB They will be like warriors who trample their enemies into the mud of the streets in battle; they will make war, for Yahweh is with them, and they will shame those who ride warhorses. BSB BSB: They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
6 UEB I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph; for I will restore them and have mercy on them. They will be as though I had not cast them off, for I am Yahweh their God, and I will respond to them. BSB BSB: I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.
7 UEB Then Ephraim will be like a warrior, and their hearts will rejoice as with wine; their children will see and rejoice. Their hearts will rejoice in me! BSB BSB: Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.
8 UEB I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will rescue them, and they will become as great as they previously were! BSB BSB: I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
9 UEB I sowed them among the peoples, but they will remember me in distant countries, so they and their children will live and return. BSB BSB: Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in distant lands; they and their children will live and return.
10 UEB For I will restore them from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the land of Gilead and Lebanon until there is no more room for them. BSB BSB: I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon until no more room is found for them.
11 UEB I will pass through the sea of their affliction; I will strike the waves of that sea and will dry up all the depths of the Nile. The majesty of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will go away from the Egyptians. BSB BSB: They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 UEB I will strengthen them in myself, and they will walk in my name—this is Yahweh's declaration." BSB BSB: I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.