³³ God turns rivers into desert,
    watery springs into thirsty ground,
³⁴     fruitful land into unproductive dirt,
        when its inhabitants are wicked.
³⁵ But God can also turn the desert into watery pools,
    thirsty ground into watery springs,
³⁶     where he settles the hungry.
They even build a city and live there!
³⁷     They plant fields and vineyards
    and obtain a fruitful harvest.
³⁸ God blesses them, and they become many.
    God won’t even let their cattle diminish.
³⁹ But when they do diminish—
    when they’re brought down by oppression, trouble, and grief—
⁴⁰     God pours contempt on their leaders,
        making them wander aimlessly in the wastelands.
⁴¹ But God raises the needy from their suffering;
    he makes their families as numerous as sheep!

⁴² Those who do right see it and celebrate,
    but every wicked person shuts their mouth.
⁴³ Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things,
    carefully considering the Lord’s faithful love.