[1] Behold, a king will reign righteously, And officials will rule justly. [2] Each will be like a refuge from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in an exhausted land. [3] Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of those who hear will listen. [4] The mind of the rash will discern the truth, And the tongue of the stammerers will hurry to speak clearly. [5] No longer will the fool be called noble, Or the rogue be spoken of as generous. [6] For a fool speaks nonsense, And his heart inclines toward wickedness: To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the Lord, To keep the hungry person unsatisfied And to withhold drink from the thirsty. [7] As for a rogue, his weapons are evil; He devises wicked schemes To destroy the poor with slander, Even though the needy one speaks what is right. [8] But the noble person devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands. [9] Rise up, you women who are at ease, And hear my voice; Listen to my word, You complacent daughters. [10] Within a year and a few days You will be troubled, you complacent daughters; For the vintage is ended, And the fruit gathering will not come. [11] Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent daughters; Strip, undress, and put sackcloth on your waist, [12] Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine, [13] For the land of my people in which thorns and briars will come up; Indeed, for all the joyful houses and for the jubilant city. [14] For the palace has been neglected, the populated city abandoned. Hill and watch-tower have become caves forever, A delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks, [15] Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is considered as a forest. [16] Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness will remain in the fertile field. [17] And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. [18] Then my people will live in a peaceful settlement, In secure dwellings, and in undisturbed resting places; [19] And it will hail when the forest comes down, And the city will be utterly laid low. [20] How blessed will you be, you who sow beside all waters, Who let the ox and the donkey out freely.