Judah and Israel Will Be Restored 1 UST Ask Yahweh to send rain in the springtime, because he is the one who makes the storm clouds. He gives people showers of rain, and he makes plants grow in their fields. 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 UST The household idols that people consult tell them worthless things, and those who practice divination see false visions; the dreams they describe are lies, and the comfort they give is empty. So the people wander about helplessly and suffer, because they have no leader to guide and protect them, just as sheep suffer when they have 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 UST Yahweh says,“I am very angry with the leaders of my people, and I will punish those rulers. I, Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, care for my people, the people of Judah, as a shepherd cares for his flock, and I will make them strong, like a splendid 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 UST All their rulers will come from the tribe of Judah. Some will support the people, as a cornerstone supports a building; some will hold them together, as a tent peg holds up a tent; and some will lead them in battle, as a warrior holds his bow in war. Yes, from Judah every ruler will come. BSB BSB: The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.
5 UST Those rulers and their people will be like mighty warriors who trample their enemies into the mud of the streets during battle. They will fight and win, because I, Yahweh, am with them, and they will completely defeat even their most powerful enemies. 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 UST Because I am Yahweh their God and I pity my people, I will answer them when they pray to me. I will make the people of Judah strong, and I will rescue the people of Israel. I will bring them back to their own land. Then it will be like I had never rejected 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 UST The people of Ephraim will be strong like warriors, and they will be as happy as people who have drunk wine. Their children will see it and be glad; they will celebrate loudly because of what I, Yahweh, have done. 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 UST I will whistle to signal my people, and I will gather them together because I have rescued them, and they will become as numerous as they were before. 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 UST Even though I scatter my people among the nations, they will remember me even in those distant lands. They and their children will survive, and they will return to their land. 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 UST I will bring them back from Egypt in the south and gather them from Assyria in the north. I will bring them to the region of Gilead and to Lebanon, and there will not be enough room for them all. 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 UST Even though my people’s troubles seem like a terrifying sea, I will bring them safely home. I will subdue those troubles completely, as if I were striking down the waves of the sea and drying up the deep waters of the Nile River. I will humble the proud army of Assyria, and I will take away the royal power of Egypt. 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 UST I will make my people strong by my power, and they will live faithfully, honoring my authority. That is what I, Yahweh, declare.” BSB BSB: I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.