Isaiah 32

1 Behold [look, see], a king [ruler, monarch] will reign [rule, govern] in righteousness [justice, moral integrity], and princes [leaders, rulers] will rule [govern, lead] with justice [fairness, judgment]. word study 2 Each will be like a shelter [hiding-place, refuge] from the wind [a blast of air], a refuge [covert, protection] from the storm [tempest, heavy rain], like streams [rivers, small channels] of water [source of refreshment] in a dry [parched, arid] land, like the shadow [shade, dark area] of a great [heavy, severe] rock [crag, cliff] in an arid [weary, faint] land. word study 3 Then the eyes [organs of spiritual perception] of those who see [discern, have spiritual insight] will no longer be closed [dim, shut], and the ears [instruments of spiritual hearing] of those who hear [listen, obey] will listen [hearken, pay attention]. word study 4 The mind [heart, innermost part] of the rash [impulsive, hastened] will know [understand, discern] and understand [to separate mentally, to know with the mind], and the stammering [slow of speech, stuttering] tongue will speak [communicate, express] clearly [plainly, with ease] and fluently [with clarity, dazzling]. word study 5 No longer [not at all, still not] will a fool [stupid, wicked, or impious] be called noble [generous, of high rank, or noble], nor a scoundrel [rogue, selfish, or churl] be respected [highly regarded, said to be rich or bountiful]. word study 6 For a fool speaks [speaking foolishly, acting stupidly] foolishness [folly, wickedness]; his mind [heart, intellect] plots iniquity [evil, wickedness]. He practices ungodliness [profaneness, hypocrisy] and speaks falsely [utters error, deceives] about the LORD [Yehovah]; he leaves the hungry [those in need, empty] empty and deprives the thirsty [those searching, longing] of drink [water, satisfaction]. word study 7 The weapons [instruments, articles] of the scoundrel [rogue, churl] are destructive [evil, wicked]; he hatches [devises, counsels] plots [wicked devices, schemes] to destroy [corrupt, ruin] the poor [meek, afflicted] with lies [false words, deception], even when the plea [speech, judgment] of the needy [poor, oppressed] is just [right, justly]. word study 8 But a noble [liberal, generous, having a willing and liberal heart] man makes honorable [noble, liberal] plans; he stands up [rises, continues] for worthy [noble, liberal] causes [things, purposes]. word study 9 Stand up [rise, get up], you complacent [secure, at ease, careless] women; listen [hear, give ear] to me. Give ear [pay attention, hearken] to my word [voice, speech, saying], you overconfident [careless, trusting, confident] daughters [female children, women]. word study 10 In a little more than a year [beyond a year, after days] you will tremble [shake with fear, be troubled], O secure ones [careless women, confident ones]. For the grape harvest [vintage, ingathering] will fail [come to an end, be consumed] and the fruit harvest [gathering, produce of the vine-gardens] will not arrive [come, be present]. word study 11 Shudder [tremble with fear], you ladies of leisure [at ease, secure]; tremble [be troubled], you daughters of complacency [careless, confident ones]. Strip [remove, make bare] yourselves bare and put sackcloth [a sign of mourning, grief] around your waists [loins, seat of vigor and strength]. word study 12 Beat your breasts [for the teats, mournfully] for the pleasant [delightful, highly valued] fields [lands, cultivated areas], for the fruitful [productive, bearing much] vines [grapevines], word study 13 and for the land [ground, soil] of my people [nation, community], overgrown with thorns [shamir, sharp stones] and briers— even for every house [dwelling place, family home] of merriment [rejoicing, joy] in this city [town, urban area] of revelry [jubilant, exultant celebration]. word study 14 For the palace [citadel, high fortress] will be forsaken [abandoned, left], the busy [crowded, noisy] city [town, settlement] abandoned [deserted, left]. The hill [mound, stronghold] and the watchtower [high structure, observation point] will become caves [dens, hidden places] forever [always, eternally]— the delight [joy, rejoicing] of wild donkeys [onagers, fierce animals] and a pasture [feeding ground, grazing place] for flocks [herds, groups of animals]— word study 15 until the Spirit [breath of life, divine presence] is poured out [emptied, unleashed] upon us from on high [from heaven, a lofty place]. Then the desert [wilderness, barren land] will be an orchard [fruitful field, plantation], and the orchard [fruitful field, garden-land] will seem like [be reckoned as, appear to be] a forest [copse of bushes, wooded area]. word study 16 Then justice [righteous judgment] will inhabit [dwell, reside] the wilderness [desert, open field], and righteousness [virtue, moral integrity] will dwell [remain, abide] in the fertile [fruitful, productive] field [plantation, garden-land]. word study 17 The work [deed, action] of righteousness [justice, virtue, morality] will be peace [shalom, completeness, wellness]; the service [labour, worship] of righteousness [justice, virtue, morality] will be quiet [still, tranquil] confidence [security, trust] forever [always, eternally]. word study 18 Then my people [nation, Amaw] will dwell [to sit or remain] in a peaceful [shalom, completeness and wellness] place, in safe [secure, confident] and secure [free from fear] places of rest [quiet resting-places, a state of tranquility]. word study 19 But hail [coming down, a storm] will level [flatten, utterly lay low] the forest [a copse of bushes, a wooded area], and the city [a place with a wall, a settlement] will sink [be brought low, humbled] to the depths [a state of humiliation, a low place]. word study 20 Blessed [happy, joyful] are those who sow [plant seed, spread ideas] beside [upon, near] abundant [all, plentiful] waters [sources of refreshment], who let [send forth, release] the ox [cattle, livestock] and donkey [ass, beast of burden] range [roam, graze] freely [without restraint, in peace]. word study