Isaiah 32:9-20

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.