14 Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men,

Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem,

15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,

And with Sheol we are in agreement.

When the overflowing scourge passes through,

It will not come to us,

hFor we have made lies our refuge,

And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

A Cornerstone in Zion

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, I lay in Zion ia stone for a foundation,

A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

Whoever believes will not act hastily.

17 Also I will make justice the measuring line,

And righteousness the plummet;

The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,

And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

18 Your covenant with death will be annulled,

And your agreement with Sheol will not stand;

When the overflowing scourge passes through,

Then you will be trampled down by it.

19 As often as it goes out it will take you;

For morning by morning it will pass over,

And by day and by night;

It will be a terror just to understand the report.”

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

And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it.

21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount jPerazim,

He will be angry as in the Valley of kGibeon—

That He may do His work, lHis awesome work,

And bring to pass His act, His 3unusual act.

22 Now therefore, do not be mockers,

Lest your bonds be made strong;

For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts,

mA 4destruction determined even upon the whole earth.