be glad, fields, and everything in you! The trees in the woods will shout for joy

when the LORD comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "I will take the top of a tall cedar and break off a tender sprout; I will plant it on a high mountain,

All the trees in the land will know that I am the LORD. I cut down the tall trees and make small trees grow tall. I wither up the green trees and make the dry trees become green. I, the LORD, have spoken. I will do what I have said I would do."

because he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.

with a flaming fire, to punish those who reject God and who do not obey the Good News about our Lord Jesus.

when he comes on that Day to receive glory from all his people and honor from all who believe. You too will be among them, because you have believed the message that we told you.

And so, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him.

saying: "Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was! We thank you that you have taken your great power and have begun to rule!

The heathen were filled with rage, because the time for your anger has come, the time for the dead to be judged. The time has come to reward your servants, the prophets, and all your people, all who have reverence for you, great and small alike. The time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth!"