2.3 KiB
The Righteous Kingdom Announced
Chapter 32
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Indeed, a king will reign righteously, and rulers will rule justly.
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Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the rain, like flowing streams in a dry land and the shade of a massive rock in an arid land.
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Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
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The reckless mind will gain knowledge, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently.
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A fool will no longer be called a noble, nor a scoundrel said to be important.
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For a fool speaks foolishness and his mind plots iniquity.
He lives in a godless way and speaks falsely about the Lord.
He leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.
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The scoundrel's weapons are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the needy with lies, even when the poor person says what is right.
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But a noble person plans noble things; he stands up for noble causes.
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Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Pay attention to what I say, you overconfident daughters.
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In a little more than a year you overconfident ones will shudder, for the grapes will fail and the harvest will not come.
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Shudder, you complacent ones; tremble, you overconfident ones! Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists.
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Beat your breasts in mourning for the delightful fields and the fruitful vines,
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for the ground of my people growing thorns and briers, indeed, for every joyous house in the jubilant city.
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For the palace will be deserted, the busy city abandoned.
The hill and the watchtower will become barren places forever, the joy of wild donkeys, and a pasture for flocks,
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until the Spirit from on high is poured out on us. Then the desert will become an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.
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Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.
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The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.
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Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure dwellings.
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But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink into the depths.
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You will be happy as you sow seed beside abundant water, and as you let oxen and donkeys range freely.