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.
公义的君王
1看啊，必有一位君王以公义治国，
官员们必秉公施政。
2每人都像躲避狂风暴雨的庇护所，
如荒漠中的溪流，
又似干旱之地遮荫的大磐石。
3人们的眼睛必不再迷蒙，
耳朵必能听见。
4急躁的人必慎思明辨，
口吃的人必说话清楚流利。
5愚昧人必不再被奉为尊贵之人，
恶棍必不再受尊重。
6因为愚昧人说愚昧话，
心里邪恶，行事不义，
亵渎耶和华，
使饥饿的人没饭吃，
使口渴的人没水喝。
7恶棍们手段邪恶，
用阴谋诡计和谎言毁灭困苦的人，
即使穷人的诉求有理也是枉然。
8高尚的人计划高尚的事，
在高尚的事上持之以恒。
9生活安逸的妇女啊，
来听我的声音！
无忧无虑的女子啊，
要侧耳听我的言语！
10无忧无虑的女子啊，
再过一年多，
你们必因恐惧而战抖。
那时，必没有葡萄可摘，
没有果子可收。
11生活安逸的妇女啊，战抖吧！
无忧无虑的女子啊，颤栗吧！
你们要脱下衣服，
腰束麻布，
12为美好的田地和硕果累累的葡萄树捶胸痛哭吧！
13为我百姓那长满荆棘和蒺藜的土地，
为那曾经充满欢乐的城邑和家庭哀哭吧！
14王宫必被遗弃，
繁荣的城邑必荒芜，
山冈和瞭望塔必永远成为野驴的乐园、羊群的草场。
15等到圣灵从上面浇灌我们的时候，
旷野要变为沃野，
沃野上庄稼茂密如林。
16那时，公平必充满旷野，
公义必遍布沃野。
17公义必带来平安，
公义所结的果子是永远的和平与安宁。
18我的子民必住在平安之地、
安稳之处、平静之所。
19但冰雹必扫平森林，荡平城邑。
20你们这些在河边撒种、自由地牧放牛驴的人有福了！
