Isaiah 11:1-9

New International Reader's Version

A Branch Will Come From Jesse’s Family Line

11 Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down.
    A new little tree will grow from its stump.
    From its roots a Branch will grow and produce fruit.
²The Spirit of the Lord will rest on that Branch.
    The Spirit will help him to be wise and understanding.
The Spirit will help him make wise plans and carry them out.
    The Spirit will help him know the Lord and have respect for him.
³The Branch will take delight
    in respecting the Lord.

He will not judge things only by the way they look.
    He won’t make decisions based simply on what people say.
⁴He will always do what is right
    when he judges those who are in need.
He’ll be completely fair
    when he makes decisions about poor people.
When he commands that people be punished,
    it will happen.
When he orders that evil people be put to death,
    it will take place.
⁵He will put on godliness as if it were his belt.
    He’ll wear faithfulness around his waist.

⁶Wolves will live with lambs.
    Leopards will lie down with goats.
Calves and lions will eat together.
    And little children will lead them around.
⁷Cows will eat with bears.
    Their little ones will lie down together.
    And lions will eat straw like oxen.
⁸A baby will play near a hole where cobras live.
    A young child will put its hand into a nest
    where poisonous snakes live.
⁹None of those animals will harm or destroy anything or anyone
    on my holy mountain of Zion.
The oceans are full of water.
    In the same way, the earth will be filled
    with the knowledge of the Lord.