Isaiah 32:14–20

The fortress will be abandoned,

the noisy city deserted;

citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever,

the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,

till the Spirit is poured on us from on high,

and the desert becomes a fertile field,

and the fertile field seems like a forest.

The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert,

his righteousness live in the fertile field.

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;

its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,

in secure homes,

in undisturbed places of rest.

Though hail flattens the forest

and the city is leveled completely,

how blessed you will be,

sowing your seed by every stream,

and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

For the palace will be deserted,

the busy city abandoned.

The hill and the watchtower will become

barren places forever,

the joy of wild donkeys,

and a pasture for flocks,

until the Spirit from on high is poured out on us.

Then the desert will become an orchard,

and the orchard will seem like a forest.

Then justice will inhabit the wilderness,

and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.

The result of righteousness will be peace;

the effect of righteousness

will be quiet confidence forever.

Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place,

in safe and secure dwellings.

But hail will level the forest,

and the city will sink into the depths.

You will be happy as you sow seed

beside abundant water,

and as you let oxen and donkeys range freely.

The palace and the city will be deserted,

and busy towns will be empty.

Wild donkeys will frolic and flocks will graze

in the empty forts and watchtowers

until at last the Spirit is poured out

on us from heaven.

Then the wilderness will become a fertile field,

and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.

Justice will rule in the wilderness

and righteousness in the fertile field.

And this righteousness will bring peace.

Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.

My people will live in safety, quietly at home.

They will be at rest.

Even if the forest should be destroyed

and the city torn down,

the Lord will greatly bless his people.

Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up.

Their cattle and donkeys will graze freely.

For the palace will be forsaken,

the crowded city deserted;

the hill and the watchtower will become a cave forever,

the joy of wild asses, a pasture for flocks.

Until a spirit is poured out on us from on high,

and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,

and the fruitful field is reckoned as the forest.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,

and righteousness will live in the fruitful field.

And the work of righteousness will be peace,

and the work of righteousness, quietness and security forever.

And my people will dwell in a settlement of peace

and in a dwelling place of security

and in undisturbed resting places.

And it hails when the forest comes down,

and the city will become low in humiliation.

Happy are you who sow by all waters,

who let the foot of the ox and the donkey go free.

Because the palaces shall be forsaken;

The multitude of the city shall be left;

The forts and towers shall be for dens for ever,

A joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high,

And the wilderness be a fruitful field,

And the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness,

And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

And the work of righteousness shall be peace;

And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation,

And in sure dwellings,

And in quiet resting places;

When it shall hail, coming down on the forest;

And the city shall be low in a low place.

Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters,

That send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.