Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,(A)
    and the ears(B) of those who hear will listen.
The fearful heart will know and understand,(C)
    and the stammering tongue(D) will be fluent and clear.
No longer will the fool(E) be called noble
    nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
For fools speak folly,(F)
    their hearts are bent on evil:(G)
They practice ungodliness(H)
    and spread error(I) concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty(J)
    and from the thirsty they withhold water.
Scoundrels use wicked methods,(K)
    they make up evil schemes(L)
to destroy the poor with lies,
    even when the plea of the needy(M) is just.(N)
But the noble make noble plans,
    and by noble deeds(O) they stand.(P)

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Then the eyes of those who can see won’t turn away,
    and the ears of those who can hear will listen.
The hearts of reckless people will understand sound judgment,
    and the tongues of those who stammer will be ready to speak clearly.
People will no longer call a fool[a] noble,
    nor will a bad person be declared honorable.
For fools utter contempt,
    and their minds plot[b] wrong things:
practicing ungodliness,
    spreading lies about the Lord,
leaving the pangs of hungry people unsatisfied,
    and depriving thirsty people of drink.
Furthermore, the crimes of bad people are evil;
    and[c] they devise wicked schemes,
destroying the poor[d] with lying words,
    even when needy people plead[e] a just cause.
But those who are decent plan noble things,
    and by noble deeds they stand.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 32:5 So 1QIsaa LXX; MT reads No longer will a fool will be called
  2. Isaiah 32:6 So 1QIsaa LXX; MT reads work
  3. Isaiah 32:7 So 1QIsaa LXX; the Heb. lacks and
  4. Isaiah 32:7 1QIsaa and MT use two different synonyms
  5. Isaiah 32:7 So 1QIsaa; cf. LXX; MT reads a needy one pleads