The Righteous Kingdom
321See, a king will reign in righteousness,
and officials will govern with justice.
2Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water for a dry place,
like the shade of a massive cliff in a parched land.
3The eyes of those who see will not be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4Hasty hearts[] will gain understanding, and stammering tongues will speak clearly.
5The fool will no longer be called noble,
nor will rogues be treated like respectable people.[] 6The fool speaks folly,
and his heart plots evil:
to do what is ungodly,
to tell lies about the Lord,
to deny food to the hungry,
and to refuse even one drink for the thirsty.
7The rogue's ways are evil.
He plots evil to ruin the humble with lies,
even when the poor speak with justice.
8But the noble man plans noble deeds,
and by noble deeds he stands.
Judgment and Restoration
9Get up, you complacent women, and listen!
You carefree girls, hear what I have to say!
10In a little more than a year, you carefree women will be worried,
because the grape harvest will fail,
and the fruit harvest will not arrive.
11Tremble, you complacent women!
Be worried, you carefree girls!
Strip yourselves naked,
and put sackcloth around your waist.
12Beat your breasts in mourning
for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vines,
13because my people's land will yield only thorns and briers.
Weep for all the houses where you partied,
in the city where you celebrated.
14Then the fortress will be abandoned.
The crowded city will be deserted.
The citadel and the watchtower will become
rugged ruins[] for a long time, enjoyed by wild donkeys,
and a pasture for flocks,
15until the Spirit is poured out on us from on high,
and the wilderness becomes a fertile field,
and the fertile field seems like a forest.
16Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness will live in the fertile field.
17The result of righteousness will be peace,
and righteousness will bring lasting tranquility and security.
18My people will live in a peaceful place,
in secure dwellings,
and in quiet resting places.
19Even if hail destroys the forest,
or if the city is totally leveled,
20how blessed you will be,
as you sow seed beside streams,
and let your cattle and donkeys run free.