But [a]they have erred because of wine, and are out of the way by strong drink: the Priest and the prophet have erred by strong drink: they are swallowed up with wine: they have gone astray through strong drink: they fail in vision: they stumble in judgment.

For all their tables are full of filthy vomiting: no place is clean.

[b]Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand the things that he heareth? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For [c]precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little, and there a little.

11 For with a stammering [d]tongue, and with a strange language shall he speak unto this people.

12 Unto whom [e]he said, [f]This is the rest: [g]give rest unto him that is weary, and this is the refreshing, but they would not hear.

13 Therefore shall the word of the [h]Lord be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little and there a little: that they may go and fall backward, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 28:7 Meaning, the hypocrites which were among them, and were altogether corrupt in life and doctrine, which is here meant by drunkenness and vomiting.
  2. Isaiah 28:9 For there was none that was able to understand any good doctrine: but were foolish and as unmeet as young babes.
  3. Isaiah 28:10 They must have one thing ofttimes told.
  4. Isaiah 28:11 Let one teach what he can, yet they shall no more understand him, than if he spake in a strange language.
  5. Isaiah 28:12 That is, the Prophet, whom God should send.
  6. Isaiah 28:12 This is the doctrine, whereupon ye ought to stay and rest.
  7. Isaiah 28:12 Show to them that are weary and have need of rest, what is the true rest.
  8. Isaiah 28:13 Because they will not receive the word of God, when it is offered, it cometh of their own malice, if after their hearts be so hardened, that they care not for it, as before, Isa. 6:9.

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