Den retfærdige Konge
1Der vil komme en retfærdig Konge, og hans ledere vil regere retfærdigt. 2De vil give læ for vinden og ly for regnen og være som en oase i ørkenen og en kølende skygge fra en vældig klippe i et trøstesløst land. 3De, som har øjne at se med, skal få øjnene op for det. De, der har ører at høre med, skal fatte det. 4De tankeløse bliver fornuftige, og de stammende taler klart og tydeligt. 5Til den tid skal tåberne ikke regnes for gode ledere, og de rige bedragere ikke blive æret som magtfulde borgere. 6Tåberne spreder jo løgne om Gud, lægger onde planer og handler imod Guds vilje. De giver ikke de sultende mad at spise eller de tørstende noget at drikke. 7De rige bedrageres ondskab skal afsløres. Deres løgnagtige udnyttelse af forsvarsløse mennesker, som har retten på deres side, vil blive gennemskuet. 8Men de gode ledere vil give gode råd og udføre ædle handlinger.
Den forestående ulykke
9Hør efter, I sorgløse kvinder! Lyt til mig, I husmødre uden problemer! 10Om et års tid får I noget at bekymre jer over, I ubekymrede. For vinhøsten slår fejl, og frugthøsten udebliver. 11I vil komme til at skælve af skræk, I sorgløse og magelige kvinder. Læg jeres fine tøj til side og klæd jer i sæk og aske. 12Slå jer for brystet i fortvivlelse over den skæbne, som vil overgå jeres frugtbare marker og bugnende frugthaver. 13Jeres jord vil gro til med tjørn og tidsel. Jeres sorgløse hjem og glade byer vil blive ødelagt. 14Byens fæstningsanlæg lægges i ruiner, og alle folk må flygte. Vildæsler, får og geder vil græsse ved ruinerne og de forladte vagttårne for evigt.
Håb for fremtiden
15Men når Ånden fra Himlen udgydes over os, bliver ødemarken igen til frugthaver, og frugttræerne skal stå så tæt som i en skov. 16Retfærdighed og ret skal blomstre i landet, 17og fredens frugt vokse frem. Da bliver der ro og tryghed for evigt. 18Mit folk vil bo i fred og tryghed, i ro og sikkerhed. 19Hvis haglene falder, skal de ikke ramme jer, og de, der bor i skoven, skal være lige så trygge som dem i byen.32,19 Oversat ud fra LXX. Den hebraiske tekst er uklar, men kan muligvis oversættes som: „Når haglene falder i skoven, vil byen blive mejet ned.” 20I oplever Guds velsignelse, når I kan plante ved hvert et vandløb og lade kvæg og æsler gå frit omkring og græsse i fred.
The King Who Will Do What Is Right
1A king will come who will do what is right.
His officials will govern fairly.
2Each official will be like a place to get out of the wind.
He will be like a place to hide from storms.
He’ll be like streams of water flowing in the desert.
He’ll be like the shadow of a huge rock in a dry and thirsty land.
3Then the eyes of those who see won’t be closed anymore.
The ears of those who hear will listen to the truth.
4People who are afraid will know and understand.
Tongues that stutter will speak clearly.
5Foolish people won’t be considered noble anymore.
Those who are worthless won’t be highly respected.
6Foolish people say foolish things.
Their minds are set on doing evil things.
They don’t do what is right.
They tell lies about the Lord.
They don’t give hungry people any food.
They don’t let thirsty people have any water.
7Those who are worthless use sinful methods.
They make evil plans against poor people.
They destroy them with their lies.
They do it even when those people are right.
8But those who are noble make noble plans.
And by doing noble things they succeed.
The Sinful Women in Jerusalem
9You women who are so contented,
pay attention to me.
You who feel so secure,
listen to what I have to say.
10You feel secure now.
But in a little over a year you will tremble with fear.
The grape harvest will fail.
There won’t be any fruit.
11So tremble, you contented women.
Tremble with fear, you who feel so secure.
Take off your fine clothes.
Wrap yourselves in rags.
12Beat your chests to show how sad you are.
The pleasant fields have been destroyed.
The fruitful vines have dried up.
13My people’s land is overgrown with thorns and bushes.
Mourn for all the houses that were once filled with joy.
Cry over this city that used to be full of wild parties.
14The royal palace will be left empty.
The noisy city will be deserted.
The fort and lookout tower will become
a dry and empty desert forever.
Donkeys will enjoy being there.
Flocks will eat there.
15That will continue until the Holy Spirit
is poured out on us from heaven.
Then the desert will be turned into rich farm lands.
The rich farm lands will seem like a forest.
16In the desert, the Lord will make sure people do what is right.
In the rich farm lands he will make sure they treat one another fairly.
17Doing what is right will bring peace and rest.
When my people do that, they will stay calm
and trust in the Lord forever.
18They will live in a peaceful land.
Their homes will be secure.
They will enjoy peace and quiet.
19Hail might strip the forests bare.
Cities might be completely destroyed.
20But how blessed you people will be!
You will plant your seeds by every stream.
You will let your cattle and donkeys
wander anywhere they want to.
