15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol we are in agreement.
When the overflowing scourge passes through,
It will not come to us,
(A)For we have made lies our refuge,
And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

A Cornerstone in Zion

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, I lay in Zion (B)a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.
17 Also I will make justice the measuring line,
And righteousness the plummet;
The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,
And the waters will overflow the hiding place.
18 Your covenant with death will be annulled,
And your agreement with Sheol will not stand;
When the overflowing scourge passes through,
Then you will be trampled down by it.

Read full chapter

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.
18 Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.(M)
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,(N)
    you will be beaten down(O) by it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 28:15 Or false gods