7. Let the wicked abandon their waysand the sinful their schemes.Let them return to the Lord so that he may have mercy on them,to our God, because he is generous with forgiveness.
8. My plans aren’t your plans,nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways,and my plans than your plans.
10. Just as the rain and the snow come down from the skyand don’t return there without watering the earth,making it conceive and yield plantsand providing seed to the sower and food to the eater,
11. so is my word that comes from my mouth;it does not return to me empty.Instead, it does what I want,and accomplishes what I intend.
12. Yes, you will go out with celebration,and you will be brought back in peace.Even the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you;all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13. In place of the thorn the cypress will grow;in place of the nettle the myrtle will grow.This will attest to the Lord’s stature,an enduring reminder that won’t be removed.