7. As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil;he plans wicked schemesto ruin the poor with lying words,even when the plea of the needy is right.
8. But he who is noble plans noble things,and on noble things he stands.
9. Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice;you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.
10. In little more than a yearyou will shudder, you complacent women;for the grape harvest fails,the fruit harvest will not come.
11. Tremble, you women who are at ease,shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and tie sackcloth around your waist.
12. Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,for the fruitful vine,
13. for the soil of my peoplegrowing up in thorns and briers, yes, for all the joyous housesin the exultant city.
14. For the palace is forsaken,the populous city deserted;the hill and the watchtowerwill become dens forever, a joy of wild donkeys,a pasture of flocks;
15. until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
16. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
17. And the effect of righteousness will be peace,and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.