12Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,

13For the land of my people in which thorns and briars shall come up;
         Yea, for all the joyful houses and for the jubilant city.

14Because the palace has been abandoned, the populated city forsaken.
         Hill and watch-tower have become caves forever,
         A delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks;

15Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,
         And the wilderness becomes a fertile field,
         And the fertile field is considered as a forest.

16Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
         And righteousness will abide in the fertile field.

17And the work of righteousness will be peace,
         And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

18Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,
         And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places;

19And it will hail when the forest comes down,
         And the city will be utterly laid low.

20How blessed will you be, you who sow beside all waters,
         Who let out freely the ox and the donkey.

NASB ©1995