Isaiah 33:6-16

6 and give stability to the nation. He always protects his people and gives them wisdom and knowledge. Their greatest treasure is their reverence for the Lord.
7 The brave are calling for help. The ambassadors who tried to bring about peace are crying bitterly.
8 The highways are so dangerous that no one travels on them. Treaties are broken and agreements are violated. No one is respected any more.
9 The land lies idle and deserted. The forests of Lebanon have withered, the fertile valley of Sharon is like a desert, and in Bashan and on Mount Carmel the leaves are falling from the trees.
10 The Lord says to the nations, "Now I will act. I will show how powerful I am.
11 You make worthless plans and everything you do is useless. My spirit is like a fire that will destroy you.
12 You will crumble like rocks burned to make lime, like thorns burned to ashes.
13 Let everyone near and far hear what I have done and acknowledge my power."
14 The sinful people of Zion are trembling with fright. They say, "God's judgment is like a fire that burns forever. Can any of us survive a fire like that?"
15 You can survive if you say and do what is right. Don't use your power to cheat the poor and don't accept bribes. Don't join with those who plan to commit murder or to do other evil things.
16 Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [One ancient translation] My spirit . . . you; [Hebrew] You are destroying yourselves.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.