¹⁷ I will make justice^(A) the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;^(B)
hail^(C) will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow^(D) your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.^(E)
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(F)
    you will be beaten down^(G) by it.
¹⁹ As often as it comes it will carry you away;^(H)
    morning after morning,^(I) by day and by night,
    it will sweep through.”

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