[1] Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. [2] Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. [3] Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. [4] The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently. [5] No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected. [6] For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. [7] The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. [8] But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes. [9] Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters. [10] In a little more than a year you will tremble, O secure ones. For the grape harvest will fail and the fruit harvest will not arrive. [11] Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists. [12] Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines, [13] and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers —even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry. [14] For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever —the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks — [15] until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest. [16] Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field. [17] The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. [18] Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest. [19] But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths. [20] Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.
