²⁸ A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice;
    the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

¹⁶ How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person
    with a thirst for wickedness!

⁷ “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,
    with his thirst for irreverent talk?

¹² “They enjoyed the sweet taste of wickedness,
    letting it melt under their tongue.
¹³ They savored it,
    holding it long in their mouths.

⁸ “When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed.
    So the priests are glad when the people sin!

¹⁴ Therefore, listen to this message from the Lord,
    you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem.
¹⁵ You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death
    and have made a deal to dodge the grave.^[a]
The coming destruction can never touch us,
    for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.”

¹⁶ Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,^[b]
    a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
    Whoever believes need never be shaken.^[c]
17 I will test you with the measuring line of justice
    and the plumb line of righteousness.
Since your refuge is made of lies,
    a hailstorm will knock it down.
Since it is made of deception,
    a flood will sweep it away.
¹⁸ I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death,
    and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave.
When the terrible enemy sweeps through,
    you will be trampled into the ground.

¹⁴ A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

¹¹ The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us!
    He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”