Isaiah 28:23-29

New International Reader's Version

²³ Listen and hear my voice.
    Pay attention to what I’m saying.
²⁴ When a farmer plows in order to plant, does he plow without stopping?
    Does he keep on breaking up the soil and making the field level?
²⁵ When he’s made the surface even, doesn’t he plant caraway seeds?
    Doesn’t he scatter cumin seeds?
Doesn’t he plant wheat in its proper place?
    Doesn’t he plant barley where it belongs?
    Doesn’t he plant spelt along the edge of the field?
²⁶ His God directs him.
    He teaches him the right way to do his work.

²⁷ Caraway seeds are beaten out with a rod.
    They aren’t separated out under a threshing sled.
Cumin seeds are beaten out with a stick.
    The wheel of a cart isn’t rolled over them.
²⁸ Grain must be ground up to make bread.
    A farmer separates it out.
    But he doesn’t go on doing it forever.
He drives the wheels of a threshing cart over it.
    But he doesn’t use horses to grind the grain.
²⁹ All these insights come from the Lord who rules over all.
    His advice is wonderful. His wisdom is glorious.