1. At that time the Lord will judge Leviathan, the crooked snake. He will use his great sword, his hard and powerful sword, to punish Leviathan, that twisting, turning snake. He will kill the monster of the sea.
2. At that time people will sing about the pleasant vineyard.
3. “I, the Lord, will care for the vineyard. I will water it at the right time. I will guard it day and night. No one will hurt it.
4. I am not angry. But if there is war and someone builds a wall of thornbushes, then I will march to it and burn it.
5. But if anyone comes to me for safety and wants to make peace with me, then let them come and make peace.
6. In the future, Jacob will take root firmly on his soil. Then Israel will sprout and bloom, and the world will be filled with his fruit.”
7. Israel was not hurt as badly as the enemy who tried to hurt it. Not as many of its people were killed as those who tried to kill them.
8. The Lord will settle his argument with Israel by sending the people far away. He will speak harshly to Israel. His words will burn like the hot desert wind.
9. How will Jacob’s guilt be forgiven? What will happen so his sins can be taken away? The rocks of the altar will be crushed to dust; the statues and altars for worshiping false gods will all be destroyed.
10. The great city will be empty; it will be like a desert. All the people will be gone—they will run away. The city will be like an open pasture. Young cattle will eat grass there. The cattle will eat leaves from the branches of the vines.