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1.
See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.
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2.
Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
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3.
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
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4.
The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
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5.
No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
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6.
For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.
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7.
The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
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8.
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.
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9.
You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say!
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10.
In little more than a year you who feel secure will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not come.
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11.
Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your clothes, put sackcloth around your waists.
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12.
Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines
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13.
and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers--yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry.
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14.
The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,
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15.
till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.
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16.
Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field.
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17.
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
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18.
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
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19.
Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely,
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20.
how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.
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