Isaiah 28:14–20

14 Therefore hear the word of the Lord,q you scoffersr

who rule this people in Jerusalem.

15 You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,s

with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.

When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,t

it cannot touch us,

for we have made a lieu our refuge

and falsehoodb our hiding place.v”

16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,w a tested stone,x

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;y

the one who relies on it

will never be stricken with panic.z

17 I will make justicea the measuring line

and righteousness the plumb line;b

hailc will sweep away your refuge, the lie,

and water will overflowd your hiding place.

18 Your covenant with death will be annulled;

your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.e

When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,f

you will be beaten downg by it.

19 As often as it comes it will carry you away;h

morning after morning,i by day and by night,

it will sweep through.”

The understanding of this message

will bring sheer terror.j

20 The bed is too short to stretch out on,

the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.k