Isaiah 28:14–22

A Deal with Death

¹⁴Therefore hear the word of the Lord, ⁱyou mockers ^j

who rule this people in Jerusalem.

¹⁵For you said, “We have cut a deal with Death,

and we have made an agreement with Sheol;

when the overwhelming scourge passes through, ^k

it will not touch us,

because we have made falsehood our refuge

and have hidden behind treachery.”

¹⁶Therefore the Lord God said:

“Look, I have laid a stone ^lin Zion,

a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; ^m

the one who believes will be unshakable. ^no

¹⁷And I will make justice the measuring line

and righteousness the mason’s level.” ^p

Hail will sweep away the false refuge,

and water will flood your hiding place.

¹⁸Your deal with Death will be dissolved,

and your agreement with Sheol will not last.

When the overwhelming scourge passes through,

you will be trampled.

¹⁹Every time it passes through,

it will carry you away;

it will pass through every morning—

every day and every night.

Only terror ^qwill cause you

to understand the message. ^r

²⁰Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on,

and its cover too small to wrap up in.

²¹For the Lord will rise up as He did at Mount Perazim. ^s

He will rise in wrath, as at the Valley of Gibeon, ^t

to do His work, His strange work,

and to perform His task, His disturbing task.

²²So 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. ^u