²⁸ A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.^(A)

¹⁶ how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt,^(A)
    who drink up evil^(B) like water!^(C)

⁷ Is there anyone like Job,
    who drinks scorn like water?^(A)

¹² “Though evil^(A) is sweet in his mouth
    and he hides it under his tongue,^(B)
13 though he cannot bear to let it go
    and lets it linger in his mouth,^(C)

⁸ They feed on the sins of my people
    and relish their wickedness.^(A)

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.

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,^(A)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.