Isaiah 32

New International Version

The Kingdom of Righteousness

32 See, a king^(A) will reign in righteousness
    and rulers will rule with justice.^(B)
²Each one will be like a shelter^(C) from the wind
    and a refuge from the storm,^(D)
like streams of water^(E) in the desert^(F)
    and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

³Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,^(G)
    and the ears^(H) of those who hear will listen.
⁴The fearful heart will know and understand,^(I)
    and the stammering tongue^(J) will be fluent and clear.
⁵No longer will the fool^(K) be called noble
    nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
⁶For fools speak folly,^(L)
    their hearts are bent on evil:^(M)
They practice ungodliness^(N)
    and spread error^(O) concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty^(P)
    and from the thirsty they withhold water.
⁷Scoundrels use wicked methods,^(Q)
    they make up evil schemes^(R)
to destroy the poor with lies,
    even when the plea of the needy^(S) is just.^(T)
⁸But the noble make noble plans,
    and by noble deeds^(U) they stand.^(V)

The Women of Jerusalem

⁹You women^(W) who are so complacent,
    rise up and listen^(X) to me;
you daughters who feel secure,^(Y)
    hear what I have to say!
¹⁰In little more than a year^(Z)
    you who feel secure will tremble;
the grape harvest will fail,^(AA)
    and the harvest of fruit will not come.
¹¹Tremble,^(AB) you complacent women;
    shudder, you daughters who feel secure!^(AC)
Strip off your fine clothes^(AD)
    and wrap yourselves in rags.^(AE)
¹²Beat your breasts^(AF) for the pleasant fields,
    for the fruitful vines^(AG)
¹³and for the land of my people,
    a land overgrown with thorns and briers^(AH)—
yes, mourn^(AI) for all houses of merriment
    and for this city of revelry.^(AJ)
¹⁴The fortress^(AK) will be abandoned,
    the noisy city deserted;^(AL)
citadel and watchtower^(AM) will become a wasteland forever,
    the delight of donkeys,^(AN) a pasture for flocks,^(AO)
¹⁵till the Spirit^(AP) is poured on us from on high,
    and the desert becomes a fertile field,^(AQ)
    and the fertile field seems like a forest.^(AR)
¹⁶The Lord’s justice^(AS) will dwell in the desert,^(AT)
    his righteousness^(AU) live in the fertile field.
¹⁷The fruit of that righteousness^(AV) will be peace;^(AW)
    its effect will be quietness and confidence^(AX) forever.
¹⁸My people will live in peaceful^(AY) dwelling places,
    in secure homes,^(AZ)
    in undisturbed places of rest.^(BA)
¹⁹Though hail^(BB) flattens the forest^(BC)
    and the city is leveled^(BD) completely,
²⁰how blessed you will be,
    sowing^(BE) your seed by every stream,^(BF)
    and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.^(BG)