1. I, the Lord, am the onewho sends storm cloudsand showers of rainto make fields produce.So when the crops need rain,you should pray to me.
2. You can't believe idolsand fortune-tellers,or depend on the hopeyou receive from witchcraftand interpreters of dreams.But you have tried all of these,and now you are like sheepwithout a shepherd.
3. I, the Lord All-Powerful,am fiercely angrywith you leaders,and I will punish you.I care for my people,the nation of Judah,and I will changethis flock of sheepinto charging war horses.
4. From this flock will come leaderswho will be stronglike cornerstones and tent pegsand weapons of war.
5. They will join in the fighting,and together they will trampletheir enemies like mud.They will fight,because I, the Lord,will be on their side.And they will crushthe enemy cavalry.
6. I will strengthenthe kingdoms of Judahand Israel.And I will show mercybecause I am the Lord,their God.I will answer their prayersand bring them home.Then it will seem as thoughI had never rejected them.
7. Israel will be likea tribe of warriorscelebrating with wine.When their children see this,they will also be happybecause of me, the Lord.
8. I will give a signalfor them to come togetherbecause I have rescued them.And there will be as manyas ever before.
9. Although I scattered my peoplein distant countries,they won't forget me.Once their children are raised,they will return—
10. I will bring them homefrom Egypt and Assyria,then let them settleas far as Gilead and Lebanon,until the land overflowswith them.
11. My people will go throughan ocean of troubles,but I will overcome the wavesand dry up the deepest partof the Nile.Assyria's great pridewill be put down,and the power of Egyptwill disappear.
12. I'll strengthen my peoplebecause of who I am,and they will follow me.I, the Lord, have spoken!