Isaiah 32; Isaiah 33

1 A king will come who will do what is right. His officials will govern fairly.

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.

3 Then the eyes of those who see won't be closed anymore. The ears of those who hear will listen to the truth.

4 The minds of thoughtless people will know and understand. Tongues that stutter will speak clearly.

5 Foolish people won't be considered noble anymore. Those who are worthless won't 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.

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.

8 But the man who is noble makes noble plans. And by doing noble things he succeeds.

9 You women who are so contented, pay attention to me. You who feel so secure, listen to 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.

11 So tremble, you contented women. Tremble with fear, you who feel so secure. Take your fine clothes off. Put black clothes on.

12 Beat your chests to show how sad you are. The pleasant fields have been destroyed. The fruitful vines have dried up.

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.

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.

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.

16 In the desert and the rich farm lands people will do what is right. And they will treat one another fairly.

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.

18 They will live in a peaceful land. Their homes will be secure. They will enjoy peace and quiet.

19 Hail might strip the forests bare. Cities might be completely destroyed.

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.

1 How terrible it will be for you, you who destroy others! Assyria, you haven't been destroyed yet. How terrible for you, you who turn against others! Others haven't turned against you yet. When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed. When you stop turning against others, others will turn against you.

2 Lord, show us your favor. We long for you to help us. Make us strong every morning. Save us when we're in trouble.

3 When the nations hear you thunder, they run away. When you rise up against them, they scatter.

4 Nations, what you have taken in battle is destroyed. It's as if young locusts had eaten it up. Like large numbers of locusts, people rush to get it.

5 The LORD is honored. He lives in heaven. He will fill Zion's people with what is fair and right.

6 He will be the firm foundation for their entire lives. He will give them all of the wisdom, knowledge and saving power they will ever need. Respect for the LORD is the key to that treasure.

7 Look! Judah's brave men cry out loud in the streets. The messengers who were sent to bring peace sob bitter tears.

8 The wide roads are deserted. No one travels on them. Our peace treaty with Assyria is broken. Those who witnessed it are looked down on. No one is respected.

9 The land is filled with sadness and wastes away. Lebanon is full of shame and dries up. The rich land of Sharon is like the Arabah Desert. The trees of Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.

10 "Now I will take action," says the Lord. "Now I will be honored. Now I will be respected.

11 Assyria, your plans and actions are like straw. Your anger is a fire that will destroy you.

12 The nations will be burned to ashes. They will be like bushes that are cut down and set on fire.

13 "You nations far away, listen to what I have done! My people who are near, recognize how powerful I am!

14 The sinners in Zion are terrified. They tremble with fear. They say, 'Who of us can live through the LORD's destroying fire? Who of us can live through the fire that burns forever?'

15 A person must do what is right. He must be honest and tell the truth. He must not get rich by cheating others. His hands must not receive money from those who want special favors. He must not let his ears listen to plans to commit murder. He must close his eyes to even thinking about doing what is evil.

16 A person like that will be kept safe. It will be as if he were living on high mountains. It will be as if he were living in a mountain fort. He will have all of the food he needs. And he will never run out of water."

17 People of Judah, you will see the king in all of his glory and majesty. You will view his kingdom spreading far and wide.

18 You will think about what used to terrify you. You will say to yourself, "Where is that chief officer of Assyria? Where is the one who forced us to send gifts to his king? Where is the officer in charge of the towers that were used when we were attacked?"

19 You won't see those proud people anymore. They spoke a strange language. None of us could understand it.

20 Just look at Zion! It's the city where we celebrate our regular feasts. Turn your eyes toward Jerusalem. It will be a peaceful place to live in. It will be like a tent that will never be moved. Its stakes will never be pulled up. None of its ropes will be broken.

21 There the LORD will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of wide rivers and streams. No boat with oars will travel on them. No mighty ship will sail on them.

22 That's because the LORD is our judge. The LORD gives us our law. The LORD is our king. He will save us.

23 The ropes on your ship hang loose. The mast isn't very secure. The sail isn't spread out. But the LORD will strike the Assyrians down. Then a large amount of goods will be taken from them and divided up. Even people who are disabled will carry off what was taken.

24 No one living in Zion will ever say again, "I'm sick." And the sins of those who live there will be forgiven.