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¹ ASK from the LORD rain in the season of latter rain; and the LORD shall make gentle showers, and give you the early rain which causes the grass to grow in the field.² For the learned men have spoken iniquity, and the diviners have seen a lie and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain; therefore the people went their way like a flock, they were afflicted because they had no shepherd.³ My anger is raging against the shepherds, and I will punish the flocks; for the LORD of hosts has visited his flock the house of Judah, and has made them as a splendid horse in the battle.⁴ Out of them shall come forth the cornerstone, out of them the nail, out of them the battle bow, and out of them all their rulers together.

⁵ And they shall be like mighty men who tread mire in the streets in the battle; they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.⁶ And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back again; for I will have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not forgotten them; for I am the LORD God and will answer them.⁷ And they shall become like the mighty men of Ephraim, and their hearts shall rejoice as with wine; yea, their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD.⁸ I will whistle for them and gather them; for I will save them; and they shall increase as they were before increased.⁹ And I will scatter them among the nations, yet they shall praise me in far countries; and they shall rear their children and return again.¹⁰ And I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them back to the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and the lands shall not be enough for them.¹¹ And they shall pass through the sea of affliction, and he shall turn back the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall dry up; and the pride of Assyria shall cease, and the government of Egypt shall pass away.¹² And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall preach the good tidings of his name, says the LORD.