Isaiah 29:17–24

¹⁷In a very short time, Lebanon will be turned into rich farm lands.

The rich farm lands will seem like a forest.

¹⁸At that time those who can’t hear will hear what is read from the scroll.

Those who are blind will come out of gloom and darkness.

They will be able to see.

¹⁹Those who aren’t proud will once again find their joy in the Lord.

And those who are in need will find their joy in the Holy One of Israel.

²⁰Those who don’t show any pity will vanish.

Those who make fun of others will disappear.

All those who look for ways to do what is evil will be cut off.

²¹Without any proof, they claim that a man is guilty.

In court they try to trap

the one who speaks up for others.

By using dishonest witnesses they keep those who aren’t guilty

from being treated fairly.

²²Long ago the Lord saved Abraham from trouble. Now he says to Jacob’s people,

“You will not be ashamed anymore.

Your faces will no longer grow pale with fear.

²³You will see your children living among you.

I myself will give you those children.

Then you will honor my name.

You will recognize how holy I am.

I am the Holy One of Jacob.

You will have great respect for me.

I am the God of Israel.

²⁴I will give understanding to you

who find yourselves going down the wrong path.

You who are always speaking against others

will accept what I teach you.”