Isaiah 33:13-24

13You people who live far away, listen to what I have done! You people who are near, understand that I am very strong.’

14The sinners who live in Zion are afraid. The people who do not respect God shake with fear. They ask, ‘Who among us can stay alive? This is a fire that burns everything. Nobody can stop it from burning!’

15But some people can still live! Those who are honest in what they do and fair in what they say. Those who refuse to cheat other people so that they can become rich. Those who refuse to accept bribes. Those who will not listen to murderers, and who will not think about evil things.

16People who are like that will live in a safe place. Danger will not reach them among the high rocks. They will always have food to eat, and plenty of water to drink.

17With your own eyes, you will see the king. He will be great and beautiful. You will see the land that he rules. It will reach far and wide.

18Then you will think about the time when you were afraid. You will say, ‘Where is the enemy's important officer? Where is the officer that we paid taxes to? Where is the officer who counted our strong buildings? They are no longer here to give us trouble!’

19You will never see those cruel people again. You could not understand their language. They laughed at you with strange words.

20Now, look at Zion, the city where we have our festivals. Yes, you will see Jerusalem. It will be a place that is quiet and safe. It will be like a tent that people will never move. They will never pull up its pegs. They will never break its ropes.

21The Lord will rule there as our powerful God. Rivers and wide streams will run through it. Our enemies will not be able to bring their ships there to attack us.

22The Lord will keep us safe. He is our judge, our ruler and our king.

23At this time, your ship is not ready to go anywhere. You have not tied the ropes. There is nowhere to hang the sails. But then, you will take many valuable things from your enemies. You will share them after the battle. Even people who cannot walk well will carry away what they want!

24Nobody who lives in Zion will say, ‘I am ill.’ And God will forgive their sins.