A Leader from Jesse’s Family
A new branch will grow from Jesse’s family tree. A shoot will grow from his roots. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him. The Spirit will give him wisdom and understanding. The Spirit will give him good advice and strength. The Spirit will give him knowledge and respect for the Lord. He will understand the Lord’s ways quickly. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes. He will not decide things by what he hears with his ears. Instead, he will judge poor people fairly. He will make fair decisions for the humble people of the earth. His words will punish the earth. His breath will destroy the wicked. Doing what is right will be like a belt around his waist. Being faithful will hold him together.
Peace Between Animals
The wolf will live with the lamb. The leopard will lie down with the young goat. The calf and the young lion and the fat calf will be together. A little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will eat together. Their babies will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. A baby will play near a cobra’s hole. A young child will put his hand into a snake’s den. They will not hurt or kill anyone on my holy mountain. The earth will be full of knowing the Lord. It will be like water covering the sea.
God Gathers His People
On that day, a person from Jesse’s family will stand as a sign for all people. The nations will come to him. His resting place will be great. On that day, the Lord will reach out his hand a second time. He will bring back the rest of his people who are left. He will bring them from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the islands of the sea. He will raise a sign for the nations. He will bring together the people of Israel who were sent away. He will gather the people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Ephraim will not be jealous anymore. Judah’s enemies will be cut off. Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah. Judah will not trouble Ephraim. But they will attack the Philistines to the west. Together they will take things from the people in the east. They will take over Edom and Moab. The people of Ammon will obey them. The Lord will completely dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea. He will wave his powerful hand over the river. He will hit it and divide it into seven streams. People will be able to walk across in sandals. There will be a highway for the rest of his people who are left from Assyria. It will be like the road Israel used when they came out of Egypt.