Ephraim’s Captivity Predicted

28 Woe to the proud crown of the (A)habitually drunk of (B)Ephraim,
And to the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
Which is at the head of the [a]fertile valley
Of those who are [b]overcome with wine!
Behold, the Lord has a strong and (C)mighty agent;
As a storm of (D)hail, a tempest of destruction,
Like a storm of (E)mighty overflowing waters,
He has thrown it down to the earth with His hand.
The splendid crown of the habitually drunk of Ephraim is (F)trampled underfoot.
And the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
Which is at the head of the [c]fertile valley,
Will be like the (G)first-ripe fig prior to the summer,
Which [d]one sees,
And [e]as soon as it is in his [f]hand,
He swallows it.
On that day the (H)Lord of armies will become a beautiful (I)crown
And a glorious wreath to the remnant of His people;
A (J)spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment,
A (K)strength to those who repel the [g]onslaught at the gate.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 28:1 Lit valley of fatness
  2. Isaiah 28:1 Lit stricken
  3. Isaiah 28:4 Lit valley of fatness
  4. Isaiah 28:4 Lit the one seeing sees
  5. Isaiah 28:4 Lit while it is yet
  6. Isaiah 28:4 Lit palm
  7. Isaiah 28:6 Lit battle

Judgment on Corrupt Rulers, Priests, and Prophets

28 Woe to the proud garland of the drunkards of Ephraim
    and the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
    at the head of the fertile valley,
    those overcome with wine!(A)
See, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong,
    like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest,
like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters;
    with force he will hurl them down to the earth.(B)
Trampled under foot will be
    the proud garland of the drunkards of Ephraim.(C)
And the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
    at the head of the fertile valley,
will be like a first-ripe fig before the summer;
    whoever sees it eats it up
    as soon as it comes to hand.(D)

On that day the Lord of hosts will be a garland of glory
    and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people(E)
and a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment
    and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.(F)

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter