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Isaiah 32 (CEV)

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¹ A king and his leaders will rule with justice. ² They will be a place of safety from stormy winds, a stream in the desert, and a rock that gives shade from the heat of the sun. ³ Then everyone who has eyes will open them and see, and those who have ears will pay attention. ⁴ All who are impatient will take time to think; everyone who stutters will talk clearly. ⁵ Fools will no longer be highly respected, and crooks won't be given positions of honor. ⁶ Fools talk foolishness. They always make plans to do sinful things, to lie about the LORD, to let the hungry starve, and to keep water from those who are thirsty. ⁷ Cruel people tell lies-- they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice. ⁸ But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans. ⁹ Listen to what I say, you women who are carefree and 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 sorrow because of what happened to the fruitful fields and vineyards, ¹³ and to the happy homes in Jerusalem. The land of my people is covered with thorns. ¹⁴ The palace will be deserted, the crowded city empty. Fortresses and towers will forever become playgrounds for wild donkeys and pastures for sheep. ¹⁵ When the Spirit is given to us from heaven, deserts will become orchards thick as fertile forests. ¹⁶ Honesty and justice will prosper there, ¹⁷ and justice will produce lasting peace and security. ¹⁸ You, the LORD's people, will live in peace, calm and secure, ¹⁹ even if hailstones flatten forests and cities. ²⁰ You will have God's blessing, as you plant your crops beside streams, while your donkeys and cattle roam freely about.