1
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Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. |
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2
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Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. |
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3
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Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. |
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4
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The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently. |
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5
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No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected. |
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6
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For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. |
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7
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The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. |
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8
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But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes. |
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9
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Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters. |
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10
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In a little more than a year you will tremble, O secure ones. For the grape harvest will fail and the fruit harvest will not arrive. |
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11
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Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists. |
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12
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Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines, |
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13
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and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers—even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry. |
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14
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For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever—the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks— |
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15
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until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest. |
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16
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Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field. |
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17
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The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. |
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18
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Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest. |
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19
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But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths. |
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20
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Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely. |
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