Contemporary English Version Justice Will Rule1A king and his leaders will rule with justice. 2They will be a place of safety from stormy winds, a stream in the desert, and a rock that gives shade from the heat of the sun. 3Then everyone who has eyes will open them and see, and those who have ears will pay attention. 4All who are impatient will take time to think; everyone who stutters will talk clearly. 5Fools will no longer be highly respected, and crooks won't be given positions of honor. 6Fools talk foolishness. They always make plans to do sinful things, to lie about the Lord, to let the hungry starve, and to keep water from those who are thirsty. 7Cruel people tell lies— they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice. 8But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans. Punishment for the Women of Jerusalem9Listen to what I say, you women who are carefree and careless! 10You may not have worries now, but in about a year, the grape harvest will fail, and you will tremble. 11Shake and shudder, you women without a care! Strip off your clothes— put on sackcloth. 12Slap your breasts in sorrow because of what happened to the fruitful fields and vineyards, 13and to the happy homes in Jerusalem. The land of my people is covered with thorns. 14The palace will be deserted, the crowded city empty. Fortresses and towers will forever become playgrounds for wild donkeys and pastures for sheep. God's Spirit Makes the Difference15When the Spirit is given to us from heaven, deserts will become orchards thick as fertile forests. 16Honesty and justice will prosper there, 17and justice will produce lasting peace and security. 18You, the Lord's people, will live in peace, calm and secure, 19even if hailstones flatten forests and cities. 20You will have God's blessing, as you plant your crops beside streams, while your donkeys and cattle roam freely about. Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®) © 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). Learn more at www.cev.bible. Discover .BIBLE resources for your ministry at www.get.bible/cev Bible Hub |