New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 A king will come who will do what is right. His officials will govern fairly.
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See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.
2 Each man 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.
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Each one 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.
3 Then the eyes of those who see won't be closed anymore. The ears of those who hear will listen to the truth.
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Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4 The minds of thoughtless people will know and understand. Tongues that stutter will speak clearly.
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The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
5 Foolish people won't be considered noble anymore. Those who are worthless won't be highly respected.
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No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
6 A foolish person says foolish things. His mind is full of evil thoughts. He doesn't do what is right. He tells lies about the Lord. He doesn't give hungry people any food. He doesn't let thirsty people have any water.
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For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.
7 The one who is worthless uses sinful methods. He makes evil plans against poor people. He destroys them with his lies. He does it even when those people are right.
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Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
8 But the man who is noble makes noble plans. And by doing noble things he succeeds.
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But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.
9 You women who are so contented, pay attention to me. You who feel so secure, listen to what I have to say.
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You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say!
10 You 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.
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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.
11 So tremble, you contented women. Tremble with fear, you who feel so secure. Take your fine clothes off. Put black clothes on.
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Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your fine clothes and wrap yourselves in rags.
12 Beat your chests to show how sad you are. The pleasant fields have been destroyed. The fruitful vines have dried up.
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Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines
13 My people's land is overgrown with thorns and bushes. Sob over all of the houses that were once filled with joy. Cry over this city that used to be full of wild parties.
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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.
14 The 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.
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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,
15 That 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.
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till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.
16 In the desert and the rich farm lands people will do what is right. And they will treat one another fairly.
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The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 Doing what is right will bring peace and rest. When my people do that, they will stay calm and trust in the LORD forever.
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The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
18 They will live in a peaceful land. Their homes will be secure. They will enjoy peace and quiet.
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My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
19 Hail might strip the forests bare. Cities might be completely destroyed.
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Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely,
20 But 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.
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how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.