Isaiah
32
- See, a king will reign in righteousness and
rulers will rule with justice.
- Each man will be like a shelter from the
wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and
the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
- Then the eyes of those who see will no longer
be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
- The mind of the rash will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
- No longer will the fool be called noble nor
the scoundrel be highly respected.
- For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy
with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD;
the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.
- The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes
up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy
is just.
- But the noble man makes noble plans, and
by noble deeds he stands.
- You women who are so complacent, rise up
and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say
!
- In little more than a year you who feel secure
will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not
come.
- Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you
daughters who feel secure! Strip off your clothes, put sackcloth around your
waists.
- Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vines
- and for the land of my people, a land overgrown
with thorns and briers -- yes,
mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry.
- The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy
city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the
delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,
- till the Spirit is poured upon us from on
high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems
like a forest.
- Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness
live in the fertile field.
- The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
- My people will live in peaceful dwelling
places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
- Though hail flattens the forest and the city
is leveled completely,
- how blessed you will be, sowing your seed
by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.
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