Isaiah 28:9-19

New International Version

⁹ “Who is it he is trying to teach?^(A)
    To whom is he explaining his message?^(B)
To children weaned^(C) from their milk,^(D)
    to those just taken from the breast?
¹⁰ For it is:
    Do this, do that,
    a rule for this, a rule for that^[a];
    a little here, a little there.^(E)”

¹¹ Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues^(F)
    God will speak to this people,^(G)
12 to whom he said,
    “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;^(H)
and, “This is the place of repose”—
    but they would not listen.
¹³ So then, the word of the Lord to them will become:
    Do this, do that,
    a rule for this, a rule for that;
    a little here, a little there^(I)—
so that as they go they will fall backward;
    they will be injured^(J) and snared and captured.^(K)

¹⁴ Therefore hear the word of the Lord,^(L) you scoffers^(M)
    who rule this people in Jerusalem.
¹⁵ You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,^(N)
    with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(O)
    it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie^(P) our refuge
    and falsehood^[b] our hiding place.^(Q)”

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,^(R) a tested stone,^(S)
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;^(T)
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.^(U)
17 I will make justice^(V) the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;^(W)
hail^(X) will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow^(Y) your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.^(Z)
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(AA)
    you will be beaten down^(AB) by it.
¹⁹ As often as it comes it will carry you away;^(AC)
    morning after morning,^(AD) by day and by night,
    it will sweep through.”

The understanding of this message
    will bring sheer terror.^(AE)