Isaiah 28:1-18 ▼

1 WOE to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and woe to the shameful diadem of the strength of his glory, which dominates at the entrance of the fertile valley of those that are overcome with wine!

2 Behold, the strength and the might of the LORD are like a storm of hail and like a destroying whirlwind, and as a flood of mighty waters overflowing; I will give rest to this land by your hands:

3 The crown of the proud and of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot;

4 And the shameful garland of the strength of his glory, which dominates at the entrance of the fertile valley, shall be as the firstfruits before the summer, which he who sees it picks up at once and devours.

5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory and for a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people,

6 And for a spirit of justice to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn away the battle from the gate.

7 But these also have erred with wine, and with strong drink are gone astray; the priests and the prophets have erred with strong drink, they are overcome with wine, they stagger with strong drink, they err in judgment with drunkenness, they eat immoderately.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

9 To whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand the report? Those who are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.

10 For filth is upon filth, filth upon filth; vomit upon vomit, vomit upon vomit; a little here, a little there;

11 For with a difficult speech and with an alien tongue will he speak to this people.

12 For I have said to them, This is the place of my rest, wherewith I may cause the weary to rest; and this is the place of tranquillity; but they would not listen.

13 So the word of the LORD was to them filth upon filth, filth upon filth, vomit upon vomit, vomit upon vomit; a little here, a little there; that they might return and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken.

14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O you scornful men, who rule this people that is in Jerusalem:

15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made an agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come to us; for we have placed our hope in lies, and under falsehood we have hid ourselves;

16 Therefore thus says the LORD God: Behold, I lay in Zion a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he who believes shall not be afraid.

17 And I will make justice to the measuring line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.