14-15 Now listen to God’s Message, you scoffers,
    you who rule this people in Jerusalem.
You say, “We’ve taken out good life insurance.
    We’ve hedged all our bets, covered all our bases.
No disaster can touch us. We’ve thought of everything.
    We’re advised by the experts. We’re set.”

The Meaning of the Stone

16-17 But the Master, God, has something to say to this:

“Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion,
    a solid granite foundation, squared and true.
And this is the meaning of the stone:
    a trusting life won’t topple.
I’ll make justice the measuring stick
    and righteousness the plumb line for the building.
A hailstorm will knock down the shantytown of lies,
    and a flash flood will wash out the rubble.

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15 You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,(A)
    with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,(B)
    it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie(C) our refuge
    and falsehood[a] our hiding place.(D)

16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,(E) a tested stone,(F)
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;(G)
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.(H)
17 I will make justice(I) the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;(J)
hail(K) will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow(L) your hiding place.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 28:15 Or false gods