Study Desk

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain^(a) to all people, and plants of the field^(b) to everyone.

The idols^(c) speak deceitfully, diviners^(d) see visions that lie; they tell dreams^(e) that are false, they give comfort in vain.^(f) Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.^(g)

"My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders;^(h) for the Lord Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle.⁽ⁱ⁾

From Judah will come the cornerstone,^(j) from him the tent peg,^(k) from him the battle bow,^(l) from him every ruler.

Together they^[a] will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets.^(m) They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.⁽ⁿ⁾

"I will strengthen^(o) Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion^(p) on them.^(q) They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer^(r) them.

The Ephraimites will become like warriors, and their hearts will be glad as with wine.^(s) Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice^(t) in the Lord .

I will signal^(u) for them and gather them in. Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous^(v) as before.

Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me.^(w) They and their children will survive, and they will return.

I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria.^(x) I will bring them to Gilead^(y) and Lebanon, and there will not be room^(z) enough for them.

They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.^(aa) Assyria's pride^(ab) will be brought down and Egypt's scepter^(ac) will pass away.^(ad)

I will strengthen^(ae) them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely,^(af)" declares the Lord .