Judah and Israel Will Be Restored

10 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 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 “My anger burns against the shepherds,

and I will punish the leaders.[fn]

For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock,

the house of Judah;

He will make them

like His royal steed in battle.

4 The cornerstone will come from Judah,

the tent peg from him,

as well as the battle bow

and every ruler together.

5 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 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 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 I will whistle for them to gather,

for I have redeemed them;

and they will be as numerous

as they once were.

9 Though I sow them among the nations,

they will remember Me in distant lands;

they and their children

will live and return.

10 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 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 I will strengthen them in the LORD,

and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.