New International Version | New International Version |
1See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. | 1See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. |
2Each one 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. | 2Each one 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. |
3Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. | 3Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. |
4The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. | 4The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. |
5No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. | 5No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. |
6For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water. | 6For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water. |
7Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. | 7Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. |
8But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand. | 8But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand. |
9You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! | 9You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! |
10In little more than a year you who feel secure will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not come. | 10In little more than a year you who feel secure will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not come. |
11Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your fine clothes and wrap yourselves in rags. | 11Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your fine clothes and wrap yourselves in rags. |
12Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines | 12Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines |
13and 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. | 13and 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. |
14The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, | 14The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, |
15till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. | 15till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. |
16The LORD's justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. | 16The LORD's justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. |
17The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. | 17The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. |
18My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. | 18My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. |
19Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, | 19Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, |
20how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. | 20how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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