Isaiah 32

An honest king

1 Look! A king is coming who will rule in a right and fair way.

Honest leaders will rule under his authority.

2 Each leader will be like a safe place to hide

from strong winds and storms.

He will be like streams of water in a desert.

And he will be like the shadow of a great rock in a hot, dry land.

3 At that time, everyone who has eyes will be able to see clearly.

Everyone who has ears will be able to listen well.

4 People who do things too quickly will stop and think first.

Those who cannot speak well will be able to talk clearly.

5 Nobody will praise a stupid person.

Nobody will respect people who cheat others.

6 Stupid people say silly things.

They think of evil things that they can do.

They live in a way that does not respect God.

The things that they teach about the Lord are false.

They keep food away from hungry people.

They give no drink to thirsty people.

7 Cruel people do evil things to deceive others.

They think of ways that they can cheat their friends.

They tell lies to give trouble to poor people.

So poor people do not receive the justice that they deserve.

8 But good people think of ways that they can be kind to others.

They do the good things that they have decided to do.

A message about Jerusalem's women

9 You women, listen carefully to what I say to you!

You think that you have no problems.

You feel very safe.

But listen to me!

10 Now, you think that you are safe,

but in one year's time, you will shake with fear.

There will be no grapes at harvest time.

You will pick no fruit from your trees.

11 You think that you have no problems,

but you should be afraid.

Yes, shake with fear!

Take off all your beautiful clothes.

Tie rough cloth round your legs instead.

12 Weep and hit your breasts,

because your good fields have no crops,

and your vines have no grapes.

13 Weep because of what has happened to my people's land.

Only thorn bushes and weeds grow there.

Weep because there are no longer any happy homes.

There are no more parties in the city.

14 Nobody will remain in the king's great palace.

The city that is now full of people will be empty.

The city's hill and its strong buildings

will become heaps of stones for ever.

Wild donkeys will play in those places,

and sheep will find grass to eat.

15 It will be like that until God pours a new spirit on us from heaven.

Then, deserts will become fields of fruit trees.

And fields of fruit trees will seem like forests.

16 Everywhere, people will be honest and fair,

in the deserts as well as in the fields.

17 People will do things that are right,

so there will be peace.

People will always be safe.

18 My people will live safely and quietly in their homes.

They will not be afraid of trouble.

19 A storm of hail may destroy the forest.

The buildings in the city may all fall down too.

20 But still the Lord will bless you.

You will plant your seeds beside streams of water.

You will send your cows and donkeys into the fields,

and they will have plenty of grass to eat.