| Holman Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Ask the LORD for rain in the season of spring rain. The LORD makes the rain clouds, and He will give them showers of rain and crops in the field for everyone. | 1Ask the LORD for rain in the season of the late spring rains--the LORD who causes thunderstorms--and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field. |
| 2For the idols speak falsehood, and the diviners see illusions; they relate empty dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they suffer affliction because there is no shepherd. | 2For the household gods have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and as for the dreamers, they have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd. |
| 3My anger burns against the shepherds, so I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts has tended His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His majestic steed in battle. | 3I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead-goats. For the LORD who rules over all has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse. |
| 4The cornerstone will come from Judah. The tent peg will come from them and also the battle bow and every ruler. Together | 4From him will come the cornerstone, the wall peg, the battle bow, and every ruler. |
| 5they will be like warriors in battle trampling down the mud of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put horsemen to shame. | 5And they will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, for the LORD will be with them, and will defeat the enemy cavalry. |
| 6I will strengthen the house of Judah and deliver the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had never rejected them. For I am Yahweh their God, and I will answer them. | 6"I (says the LORD) will strengthen the kingdom of Judah and deliver the people of Joseph and will bring them back because of my compassion for them. They will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and therefore I will hear them. |
| 7Ephraim will be like a warrior, and their hearts will be glad as if with wine. Their children will see it and be glad; their hearts will rejoice in Yahweh. | 7The Ephraimites will be like warriors and will rejoice as if they had drunk wine. Their children will see it and rejoice; they will celebrate in the things of the LORD. |
| 8I will whistle and gather them because I have redeemed them; they will be as numerous as they once were. | 8I will signal for them and gather them, for I have already redeemed them; then they will become as numerous as they were before. |
| 9Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in the distant lands; they and their children will live and return. | 9Though I scatter them among the nations, they will remember in far-off places--they and their children will sprout forth and return. |
| 10I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, but it will not be enough for them. | 10I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon, for there will not be enough room for them in their own land. |
| 11Yahweh 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 come to an end. | 11The LORD will cross the sea of storms and will calm its turbulence. The depths of the Nile will dry up, the pride of Assyria will be humbled, and the domination of Egypt will be no more. |
| 12I will strengthen them in Yahweh, and they will march in His name-- this is Yahweh's declaration. | 12Thus I will strengthen them by my power, and they will walk about in my name," says the LORD. |
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