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and rulers will rule with justice.
2 Each man will be like a hiding place from the wind,
and a refuge from the tempest,
like streams of water in a dry place,
and the shade of a large rock in a weary land.
3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4 The minds of the thoughtless will gain knowledge and understanding,
and the tongue of the stammerers will speak readily and plainly.
5 The fool will no longer be called noble,
nor the scoundrel said to be honourable.
6 For the fool speaks folly,
and his heart plots wickedness:
He lives without godliness,
and speaks falsely against the Lord;
he leaves the hungry empty,
and deprives the thirsty of drink.
7 The scoundrel’s schemes are evil;
he devises wicked schemes
to destroy the poor with lying words,
even when the plea of the needy is just.
8 But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands.
9 You women, who rest at ease without a care,
stand up and listen to me;
you complacent and careless daughters,
give ear to my speech.
10 In little more than a year
you will shudder, you overconfident women,
for the vintage will fail,
and the harvest will not come.
11 Tremble, you women who are at ease;
be troubled, you complacent ones!
Strip yourselve bare,
and put sackcloth around your waists.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vine.
13 For the lands of My people
will be overgrown with thorns and briers;
yes, for every the joyous house
in every jubilant city.
14 For the palaces will be forsaken,
the bustling city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become abandoned places forever,
the delight of wild donkeys,
and a pasture for flocks,
15 until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on High,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is considered a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness will abide in the fruitful field.
17 The result of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and assurance forever.
18 My people will live in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings,
and in quiet resting places,
19 Though hail flattens the forest,
and the city be completely levelled,
20 you will be blessed,
sowing your seed beside every stream,
and letting your cattle and donkeys range freely.