1 Ask 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. 2 For 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. 3 Mine 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. 4 Out 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. 6 And 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. 7 And 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. 8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. 9 And 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. 10 I 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. 11 And 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. 12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

1 在春雨的季节， 你们要向耶和华求雨。耶和华闪发雷电， 给人降雨， 使各人的田地生长蔬菜。

2 因为偶像所说的是空言， 占卜者所见的是虚谎， 他们所说的是假梦， 只给人空洞的安慰。因此， 众人都如羊没有牧人， 流离困苦。

3 "我的怒气要向这些牧人发作， 我要惩罚那些公山羊。（因为万军之耶和华眷顾他的羊群犹大家， 使他们像战场上雄赳赳的战马。）

4 房角石、帐棚桩、作战的弓和所有的统治者， 都从犹大而出。

5 他们必像勇士， 在战场上把仇敌践踏在街上的泥土中， 他们必争战， 因为耶和华与他们同在， 他们必使敌方的骑士羞愧。

6 我要使犹大家强盛起来， 我必拯救约瑟家。我要使他们归回， 因为我怜悯他们； 他们好像未遭我弃绝一样， 因为我是耶和华他们的 神， 我必应允他们。

7 以法莲人必像勇士， 他们心中快乐， 好像饮了酒一样； 他们的子孙看见了， 也必快乐； 他们的心必因耶和华欢乐。

8 我要向他们吹哨子， 招聚他们， 因为我救赎了他们。他们的人数要增多， 像从前一样。

9 虽然我把他们散播在万民中， 他们仍要在远方记念我； 他们与他们的子孙都要存活， 并且归回。

10 我要使他们从埃及地归回， 从亚述地招聚他们， 带他们到基列地和黎巴嫩山， 却仍不够容纳他们。

11 他必经过苦难的海， 击打海中的波浪， 尼罗河的深处也都要干涸； 亚述的骄傲必降为卑； 埃及的权势要过去。

12 我必使我的子民因耶和华而强盛， 他们要奉耶和华的名行事为人。"这是耶和华的宣告。