¹⁴ Therefore hear the word of the Lord,^(A) you scoffers^(B)
    who rule this people in Jerusalem.
¹⁵ You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,^(C)
    with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(D)
    it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie^(E) our refuge
    and falsehood^[a] our hiding place.^(F)”

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,^(G) a tested stone,^(H)
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;^(I)
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.^(J)
17 I will make justice^(K) the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;^(L)
hail^(M) will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow^(N) your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.^(O)
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(P)
    you will be beaten down^(Q) by it.

“Because you have rejected this message,^(B)
    relied on oppression^(C)
    and depended on deceit,
¹³ this sin will become for you
    like a high wall,^(D) cracked and bulging,
    that collapses^(E) suddenly,^(F) in an instant.
¹⁴ It will break in pieces like pottery,^(G)
    shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
    for taking coals from a hearth
    or scooping water out of a cistern.”

“In repentance and rest^(J) is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust^(K) is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.^(L)
16 You said, ‘No, we will flee^(M) on horses.’^(N)
    Therefore you will flee!
You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’
    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
¹⁷ A thousand will flee
    at the threat of one;
at the threat of five^(O)
    you will all flee^(P) away,
till you are left^(Q)
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner^(R) on a hill.”

¹⁸ Yet the Lord longs^(S) to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.^(T)
For the Lord is a God of justice.^(U)
    Blessed are all who wait for him!^(V)