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

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,^(G) a tested stone,^(H)
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;^(I)
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.^(J)
17 I will make justice^(K) the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;^(L)
hail^(M) will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow^(N) your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.^(O)
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(P)
    you will be beaten down^(Q) by it.
¹⁹ As often as it comes it will carry you away;^(R)
    morning after morning,^(S) by day and by night,
    it will sweep through.”

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

²³ Which of you will listen to this
    or pay close attention^(A) in time to come?