1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.10.1 bright…: or, lightnings 2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.10.2 idols: Heb. teraphims10.2 were…: or, answered that, etc 3Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.10.3 punished: Heb. visited upon 4Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
5¶ And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.10.5 the riders…: or, they shall make the riders on horses ashamed 6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them. 7And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. 8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. 9And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. 10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them. 11And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away. 12And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
耶和華應許拯救以色列
1要在春季向耶和華求雨。
祂創造雷雨，
為世人降下甘霖，
使田間長出青翠之物。
2因為神像說的是虛言，
占卜者講的是謊話，
他們說的是假夢，
他們的安慰是空的。
所以人們如迷失的羊，
因沒有牧人而受苦。
3「我必向牧人發怒，
我必懲罰這些首領10·3 「首領」希伯來文作「公山羊」。。
因為我——萬軍之耶和華必眷顧我的羊群猶大家，
我必使他們像戰場上的駿馬。
4房角石、帳篷的橛子、戰弓，
以及所有掌權者必出自猶大。
5他們必像戰場上的勇士，
將仇敵踐踏在街上的泥土中。
他們必爭戰，
因為耶和華與他們同在。
他們必使敵方的騎兵蒙羞。
6「我必使猶大家強盛，
我必拯救約瑟家。
我必帶他們回到故土，
因為我憐憫他們。
他們必好像從未被我拋棄一樣，
因為我是他們的上帝耶和華，
我必應允他們的禱告。
7以法蓮人必如勇士，
他們必心裡快樂，如同喝了酒，
他們的兒女見狀也必快樂，
他們必因耶和華而歡心。
8「我必吹哨聚集他們，
因為我救贖了他們，
他們必像從前一樣人數眾多。
9雖然我把他們分散到列國，
他們必在遠方想起我，
他們及其子女必得以倖存，
並且回到故土。
10我必從埃及領他們回到故土，
從亞述招聚他們，
領他們到基列和黎巴嫩，
那裡將不夠他們居住。
11祂必經過苦海，
擊打海浪，
尼羅河必乾涸，
亞述的驕傲必掃地，
埃及的勢力必滅沒。
12我必讓他們靠著我強盛，
他們必奉我的名行事。
這是耶和華說的。」
