10 

Ask the Eternal for rain in spring,

ask the Eternal, who makes lightning flash,

who gives men winter rain,

with grass on all their fields.

2 

What idols say is useless,

the sorcerer’s vision is a lie,

dreamers are but deceivers,

idle their promises;

’tis they who make the people stray like sheep,

wandering for lack of any shepherd.

3 

“My anger is hot against the shepherds,

and I will punish the leaders.

The Lord of hosts will visit his poor sheep

to make them splendid steeds for his campaign

4 

[[they shall produce men to be supports and stays,

men to be battle-bows and rulers]];

5 

together shall they trample down the strong,

like dirt upon the street,

fighting, with the Eternal’s aid,

till mounted foes are in dismay

6 

[[I will make the house of Judah strong,

and rescue the house of Joseph,

bringing them home in my compassion,

till they shall be as though I never had expelled them]];

7 

the Ephraimites shall fight like heroes,

their spirits buoyant as with wine,

while their sons look on and rejoice,

with hearts exulting in the Eternal.

8 

I will whistle for them and gather them in,

for I have redeemed them,

and they shall be as numerous as ever.

9 

Though once I scattered them among the nations,

yet in far countries shall they remember me,

rear children, and return.

10 

Back from the land of Egypt will I bring them,

back from Assyria will I gather them,

and bring them home to Gilead and Lebanon,

till there is no more room for them;

11 

when they pass through the gulf of Suez,

the breakers shall be struck aside,

and the Nile dried to all its depths;

Assyria’s pride shall be laid low,

and Egypt’s tyranny swept aside

12 

[[Their strength shall lie in the Eternal

they glory in his name, says the Eternal]].”