But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.

What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.

yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cistern –

Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah.

At that time men will throw their silver and gold idols, which they made for themselves to worship, into the caves where rodents and bats live,

Now I will inform you what I am about to do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge and turn it into pasture, I will break its wall and allow animals to graze there.

I replied, “How long, sovereign master?” He said, “Until cities are in ruins and unpopulated, and houses are uninhabited, and the land is ruined and devastated,

Even if only a tenth of the people remain in the land, it will again be destroyed, like one of the large sacred trees or an Asherah pole, when a sacred pillar on a high place is thrown down. That sacred pillar symbolizes the special chosen family.”

Here is why this will be so: Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land whose two kings you fear will be desolate.

At that time every place where there had been a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels will be overrun with thorns and briers.

They will stay away from all the hills that were cultivated, for fear of the thorns and briers. Cattle will graze there and sheep will trample on them.

“Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ every time these people say the word. Don’t be afraid of what scares them; don’t be terrified.

Look, I and the sons whom the Lord has given me are reminders and object lessons in Israel, sent from the Lord who commands armies, who lives on Mount Zion.

You have enlarged the nation; you give them great joy. They rejoice in your presence as harvesters rejoice; as warriors celebrate when they divide up the plunder.

At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic.

Look, I am stirring up the Medes to attack them; they are not concerned about silver, nor are they interested in gold.

When the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and anxiety, and from the hard labor which you were made to perform,

They will no longer trust in the altars their hands made, or depend on the Asherah poles and incense altars their fingers made.