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The King Who Will Do What Is Right

32 A king will come who will do what is right.
    His officials will govern fairly.
Each official will be like a place to get out of the wind.
    He will be like a place to hide from storms.
He’ll be like streams of water flowing in the desert.
    He’ll be like the shadow of a huge rock in a dry and thirsty land.

Then the eyes of those who see won’t be closed anymore.
    The ears of those who hear will listen to the truth.
People who are afraid will know and understand.
    Tongues that stutter will speak clearly.
Foolish people won’t be considered noble anymore.
    Those who are worthless won’t be highly respected.
Foolish people say foolish things.
    Their minds are set on doing evil things.
They don’t do what is right.
    They tell lies about the Lord.
They don’t give hungry people any food.
    They don’t let thirsty people have any water.
Those who are worthless use sinful methods.
    They make evil plans against poor people.
They destroy them with their lies.
    They do it even when those people are right.
But those who are noble make noble plans.
    And by doing noble things they succeed.

The Sinful Women in Jerusalem

You women who are so contented,
    pay attention to me.
You who feel so secure,
    listen to what I have to say.
10 You feel secure now.
    But in a little over a year you will tremble with fear.
The grape harvest will fail.
    There won’t be any fruit.
11 So tremble, you contented women.
    Tremble with fear, you who feel so secure.
Take off your fine clothes.
    Wrap yourselves in rags.
12 Beat your chests to show how sad you are.
    The pleasant fields have been destroyed.
    The fruitful vines have dried up.
13 My people’s land is overgrown with thorns and bushes.
    Mourn for all the houses that were once filled with joy.
    Cry over this city that used to be full of wild parties.
14 The royal palace will be left empty.
    The noisy city will be deserted.
The fort and lookout tower will become
    a dry and empty desert forever.
Donkeys will enjoy being there.
    Flocks will eat there.
15 That will continue until the Holy Spirit
    is poured out on us from heaven.
Then the desert will be turned into rich farm lands.
    The rich farm lands will seem like a forest.
16 In the desert, the Lord will make sure people do what is right.
    In the rich farm lands he will make sure they treat one another fairly.
17 Doing what is right will bring peace and rest.
    When my people do that, they will stay calm
    and trust in the Lord forever.
18 They will live in a peaceful land.
    Their homes will be secure.
    They will enjoy peace and quiet.
19 Hail might strip the forests bare.
    Cities might be completely destroyed.
20 But how blessed you people will be!
    You will plant your seeds by every stream.
You will let your cattle and donkeys
    wander anywhere they want to.

The Kingdom of Righteousness

32 See, a king(A) will reign in righteousness
    and rulers will rule with justice.(B)
Each one will be like a shelter(C) from the wind
    and a refuge from the storm,(D)
like streams of water(E) in the desert(F)
    and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,(G)
    and the ears(H) of those who hear will listen.
The fearful heart will know and understand,(I)
    and the stammering tongue(J) will be fluent and clear.
No longer will the fool(K) be called noble
    nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
For fools speak folly,(L)
    their hearts are bent on evil:(M)
They practice ungodliness(N)
    and spread error(O) concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty(P)
    and from the thirsty they withhold water.
Scoundrels use wicked methods,(Q)
    they make up evil schemes(R)
to destroy the poor with lies,
    even when the plea of the needy(S) is just.(T)
But the noble make noble plans,
    and by noble deeds(U) they stand.(V)

The Women of Jerusalem

You women(W) who are so complacent,
    rise up and listen(X) to me;
you daughters who feel secure,(Y)
    hear what I have to say!
10 In little more than a year(Z)
    you who feel secure will tremble;
the grape harvest will fail,(AA)
    and the harvest of fruit will not come.
11 Tremble,(AB) you complacent women;
    shudder, you daughters who feel secure!(AC)
Strip off your fine clothes(AD)
    and wrap yourselves in rags.(AE)
12 Beat your breasts(AF) for the pleasant fields,
    for the fruitful vines(AG)
13 and for the land of my people,
    a land overgrown with thorns and briers(AH)
yes, mourn(AI) for all houses of merriment
    and for this city of revelry.(AJ)
14 The fortress(AK) will be abandoned,
    the noisy city deserted;(AL)
citadel and watchtower(AM) will become a wasteland forever,
    the delight of donkeys,(AN) a pasture for flocks,(AO)
15 till the Spirit(AP) is poured on us from on high,
    and the desert becomes a fertile field,(AQ)
    and the fertile field seems like a forest.(AR)
16 The Lord’s justice(AS) will dwell in the desert,(AT)
    his righteousness(AU) live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of that righteousness(AV) will be peace;(AW)
    its effect will be quietness and confidence(AX) forever.
18 My people will live in peaceful(AY) dwelling places,
    in secure homes,(AZ)
    in undisturbed places of rest.(BA)
19 Though hail(BB) flattens the forest(BC)
    and the city is leveled(BD) completely,
20 how blessed you will be,
    sowing(BE) your seed by every stream,(BF)
    and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.(BG)