Judgment on Ephraim and Jerusalem

28 Ah, the proud crown of (A)the drunkards of Ephraim,
    and the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
    which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!
Behold, the Lord has (B)one who is mighty and strong;
    like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest,
like (C)a storm of mighty, overflowing waters,
    he casts down to the earth with his hand.
(D)The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim
    will be trodden underfoot;
(E)and the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
    which is on the head of the rich valley,
will be like (F)a first-ripe fig[a] before the summer:
    when someone sees it, he swallows it
    as soon as it is in his hand.

(G)In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory,[b]
    and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people,
and (H)a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,
    and (I)strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 28:4 Or fruit
  2. Isaiah 28:5 The Hebrew words for glory and hosts sound alike

Woe to the Leaders of Ephraim and Judah

28 Woe(A) to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s(B) drunkards,
    to the fading flower, his glorious beauty,
set on the head of a fertile valley(C)
    to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine!(D)
See, the Lord has one who is powerful(E) and strong.
    Like a hailstorm(F) and a destructive wind,(G)
like a driving rain and a flooding(H) downpour,
    he will throw it forcefully to the ground.
That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s(I) drunkards,
    will be trampled(J) underfoot.
That fading flower, his glorious beauty,
    set on the head of a fertile valley,(K)
will be like figs(L) ripe before harvest—
    as soon as people see them and take them in hand,
    they swallow them.

In that day(M) the Lord Almighty
    will be a glorious(N) crown,(O)
a beautiful wreath
    for the remnant(P) of his people.
He will be a spirit of justice(Q)
    to the one who sits in judgment,(R)
a source of strength
    to those who turn back the battle(S) at the gate.

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