Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; *call upon him when he draws near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways *and the evil ones their thoughts;

And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, *and to our God, for he will richly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *nor your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as rain and snow fall from the heavens *and return not again, but water the earth,

Bringing forth life and giving growth, *seed for sowing and bread for eating,

So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *it will not return to me empty;

But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, *and prosper in that for which I sent it.