An Ideal King Establishes a Kingdom of Peace

11:1 A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s1 root stock,

a bud will sprout2 from his roots.

11:2 The Lord’s spirit will rest on him3—

a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom,4

a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans,5

a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord.6

11:3 He will take delight in obeying the Lord.7

He will not judge by mere appearances,8

or make decisions on the basis of hearsay.9

11:4 He will treat the poor fairly,10

and make right decisions11 for the downtrodden of the earth.12

He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,13

and order the wicked to be executed.14

11:5 Justice will be like a belt around his waist,

integrity will be like a belt around his hips.15

11:6 A wolf will reside16 with a lamb,

and a leopard will lie down with a young goat;

an ox and a young lion will graze together,17

as a small child leads them along.

11:7 A cow and a bear will graze together,

their young will lie down together.18

A lion, like an ox, will eat straw.

11:8 A baby19 will play

over the hole of a snake;20

over the nest21 of a serpent

an infant22 will put his hand.23

11:9 They will no longer injure or destroy

on my entire royal mountain.24

For there will be universal submission to the Lord’s sovereignty,

just as the waters completely cover the sea.25