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)”

“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.
¹⁹ As often as it comes it will carry you away;^(P)
    morning after morning,^(Q) by day and by night,
    it will sweep through.”

The understanding of this message
    will bring sheer terror.^(R)
20 The bed is too short to stretch out on,
    the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.^(S)
21 The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim,^(T)
    he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon^(U)—
to do his work,^(V) his strange work,
    and perform his task, his alien task.
²² Now stop your mocking,^(W)
    or your chains will become heavier;
the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me
    of the destruction decreed^(X) against the whole land.^(Y)