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.
7. The people of Ephraim will be strong like soldiers;they will be glad as when they have drunk wine.Their children will see it and rejoice;they will be happy in the Lord.
8. I will call my peopleand gather them together.I will save them,and they will grow in number as they grew in number before.
9. I have scattered them among the nations,but in those faraway places, they will remember me.They and their children will live and return.