1 A king and his leaderswill rule with justice.
2 They will be a place of safetyfrom stormy winds,a stream in the desert,and a rock that gives shadefrom the heat of the sun.
3 Then everyone who has eyeswill open them and see,and those who have earswill pay attention.
4 All who are impatientwill take time to think;everyone who stutterswill talk clearly.
5 Fools will no longerbe highly respected,and crooks won't be givenpositions of honour.
6 Fools talk foolishness.They always make plansto do sinful things,to lie about the Lord,to let the hungry starve,and to keep water from thosewho are thirsty.
7 Cruel people tell lies—they do evil things,and make cruel plansto destroy the poor and needy,even when they begfor justice.
8 But helpful peoplecan always be trustedto make helpful plans.
9 Listen to what I say,you women who are carefreeand careless!
10 You may not have worries now,but in about a year,the grape harvest will fail,and you will tremble.
11 Shake and shudder,you women without a care!Strip off your clothes—put on sackcloth.
12 Slap your breasts in sorrowbecause of what happenedto the fruitful fieldsand vineyards,
13 and to the happy homesin Jerusalem.The land of my peopleis covered with thorns.
14 The palace will be deserted,the crowded city empty.Fortresses and towerswill for ever becomeplaygrounds for wild donkeysand pastures for sheep.
15 When the Spirit is given to usfrom heaven,deserts will become orchardsthick as fertile forests.
16 Honesty and justicewill prosper there,
17 and justice will producelasting peace and security.
18 You, the Lord's people,will live in peace,calm and secure,
19 even if hailstones flattenforests and cities.
20 You will have God's blessing,as you plant your cropsbeside streams,while your donkeys and cattleroam freely about.