²     each like a shelter from the wind
    and a refuge from a storm,
    like streams of water in a wasteland,
    like the shade of a massive cliff in a worn-out land.
³ Then the eyes of those who can see will no longer be blind,
    the ears of those who can hear will listen,
⁴     the minds of the rash will know and comprehend,
    and the tongues of those who stammer will speak fluently and plainly.
⁵ Then a fool will no longer be called honorable,
    nor a villain considered respectable.
⁶ Fools speak folly;
    their minds devise wickedness,
    acting irreverently,
    speaking falsely of the Lord,
    leaving the hungry empty,
    and depriving the thirsty of drink.
⁷ As for the villain, his villainies are evil.
    He plans schemes to destroy the poor with lying words,
    even when the needy speak justly.
⁸ But an honorable person plans honorable things
    and stands up for what is honorable.

¹⁵     until a spirit from on high
    is poured out on us,
    and the desert turns into farmland, and the farmland is considered a forest.
¹⁶ Then justice will reside in wild lands,
    and righteousness will abide in farmlands.
¹⁷ The fruit of righteousness will be peace,
    and the outcome of righteousness,
    calm and security forever.
¹⁸ Then my people will live in a peaceful dwelling,
    in secure homes, in carefree resting places.
¹⁹ Even if the forest falls^[a]
        and the humbled city is laid low,
²⁰     those who sow beside any stream will be happy,
    sending out ox and donkey to graze.