¹⁴ Therefore hear the word of the Lord,^(A) you mockers^(B)
who rule this people in Jerusalem.
¹⁵ For you said, “We have cut a deal with Death,
and we have made an agreement with Sheol;
when the overwhelming scourge passes through,^(C)
it will not touch us,
because we have made falsehood our refuge
and have hidden behind treachery.”
¹⁶ Therefore the Lord God said:
“Look, I have laid a stone^(D) in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;^(E)
the one who believes will be unshakable.^[a](F)
17 And I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the mason’s level.”^(G)
Hail will sweep away the false refuge,
and water will flood your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your deal with Death will be dissolved,
and your agreement with Sheol will not last.
When the overwhelming scourge passes through,
you will be trampled.
¹⁹ Every time it passes through,
it will carry you away;
it will pass through every morning—
every day and every night.
Only terror^(H) will cause you
to understand the message.^[b]
20 Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on,
and its cover too small to wrap up in.
²¹ For the Lord will rise up as He did at Mount Perazim.^(I)
He will rise in wrath, as at the Valley of Gibeon,^(J)
to do His work, His strange work,
and to perform His task, His disturbing task.
²² So now, do not mock,
or your shackles will become stronger.
Indeed, I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts
a decree of destruction for the whole land.^(K)