Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 Ask ye of the Lord rain in the latter season, and the Lord will make snows, and will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
1
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime. The LORD makes thunderstorms. He gives everyone rain showers for the plants in the field.
2 For the idols have spoken what was unprofitable, and the diviners have seen a lie, and the dreamers have spoken vanity: they comforted in vain: therefore they were led away as a flock: they shall be afflicted, because they have no shepherd.
2
The idols speak lies. The fortunetellers see false visions. They speak about false dreams. They give useless comfort. That is why people wander around like sheep. They are troubled because there is no shepherd.
3 My wrath is kindled against the shepherds, and I will visit upon the buck goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Juda, and hath made them as the horse of his glory in the battle.
3
"My burning anger is directed against the shepherds. I will punish the male goats. The LORD of Armies takes care of his flock, the people of Judah. He makes them like his splendid war horse."
4 Out of him shall come forth the corner, out of him the pin, out of him the bow of battle, out of him ever exacter together.
4
From them will come a cornerstone, from them a tent peg, from them a battle bow, from them every leader.
5 And they shall be as mighty men, treading under foot the mire of the ways in battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders of horses shall be confounded.
5
Together they will be like warriors who trample the enemy in the mud on the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them. They will put to shame those who ride on horses.
6 And I will strengthen the house of Juda, and save the house of Joseph: and I will bring them back again, because I will have mercy on them: and they shall be as they were when I had not cast them off, for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them.
6
"I will strengthen the people of Judah. I will rescue Joseph's people. I will bring them back, because I have compassion for them. It will be as though I had never rejected them, because I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.
7 And they shall be as the valiant men of Ephraim, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: and their children shall see, and shall rejoice, and their heart shall be joyful in the Lord.
7
The people of Ephraim will be like mighty warriors. Their hearts will be glad as if they had some wine [to drink]. Their sons will see it and be glad. Their hearts will find joy in the LORD.
8 I will whistle for them, and I will gather them together, because I have redeemed them: and I will multiply them as they were multiplied before.
8
I will signal them with a whistle and gather them because I have reclaimed them. They will be as numerous as they have ever been.
9 And I will sow them among peoples: and from afar they shall remember me: and they shall live with their children, and shall return.
9
Although I have scattered them among the nations, they will remember me even in faraway places. They will live with their children and then return.
10 And I will bring them back out of the land of Egypt, and I will gather them from among the Assyrians: and will bring them to the land of Galaad, and Libanus, and place shall not be found for them.
10
I will bring them back from Egypt. I will gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and to Lebanon, and there won't be enough room for them."
11 And he shall pass over the strait of the sea, and shall strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall be confounded, and the pride of Assyria shall be humbled, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart.
11
The LORD will pass through a sea of distress, strike the waves in the sea, and dry up all the deep places of the Nile River. The pride of Assyria will be humiliated, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk in his name, saith the Lord.
12
"I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will live in his name," declares the LORD.
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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.