Isaiah 32:1-14 ▼

1 Behold, a King will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.

2 Each [one of them] will be like a hiding place from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry land, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched and weary land [to those who turn to them].

3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of those who hear will listen attentively.

4 The heart (mind) of those who act impulsively will discern the truth, And the tongue of the stammerers will hurry to speak clearly.

5 The fool (the good-for-nothing) will no longer be called noble, Nor the rogue said to be generous.

6 For the fool speaks nonsense, And his heart (mind) plans wickedness: To practice ungodliness and to speak error concerning the LORD, To keep the craving of the hungry unsatisfied And to deprive the thirsty of drink.

7 As for the rogue, his weapons are evil; He conceives wicked plans To ruin the poor with lies, Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.

8 But the noble man conceives noble and magnificent things; And he stands by what is noble and magnificent.

9 Rise up, you women who are carefree, And hear my voice, You confident and unsuspecting daughters! Listen to what I am saying.

10 In little more than a year You will tremble [with anxiety], you unsuspecting and complacent women; For the vintage has ended, And the harvest will not come.

11 Tremble, you women who are carefree; Tremble with fear, you complacent ones! Strip, undress and wear sackcloth on your waist [in grief],

12 Beat your breasts [in mourning] for the beautiful fields, for the fruitful vine,

13 For the land of my people growing over with thorns and briars— Yes, [mourn] for all the houses of joy in the joyous city.

14 For the palace has been abandoned, the populated city deserted; The hill [of the city] and the watchtower have become caves [for wild animals] forever, A delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks,