1. Ask the Lord for rain during the springtime rains.The Lord is the one who makes the clouds.He sends the showersand gives everyone green fields.
2. Idols tell lies;fortune-tellers see false visionsand tell about false dreams.The comfort they give is worth nothing.So the people are like lost sheep.They are abused, because there is no shepherd.
3. The Lord says, “I am angry at my shepherds,and I will punish the leaders.I, the Lord All-Powerful, carefor my flock, the people of Judah.I will make them like my proud war horses.
4. From Judah will come the cornerstone,and the tent peg,the battle bow,and every ruler.
5. Together they will be like soldiersmarching to battle through muddy streets.The Lord is with them,so they will fight and defeat the horsemen.
6. “I will strengthen the people of Judahand save the people of Joseph.I will bring them back,because I care about them.It will be as thoughI had never left them,because I am the Lord their God,and I will answer them.