Isaiah 5:18-30

Woe to those who drag behind them their guilt with ropes made of lies — straining and tugging, harnessed to their bondage! They say, “May God hurry up and bring his judgment so that we can see it once and for all! Let the prophetic plan of the Holy One of Israel quickly come to pass so that we can see what it is!” Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who replace darkness with light and light with darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and see themselves as clever and shrewd. Woe to the champion wine drinkers who are heroes in mixing strong drinks— judges and politicians who acquit the guilty for a bribe and take away the rights of the innocent. Therefore, just as tongues of fire lick up the straw and dry grass, they will be destroyed, just as a plant with decaying roots and blossoms dries up like dust and is blown away in the wind. For they said, “No!” to the teachings of YAHWEH, the Lord of Angel Armies, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel! For this reason YAHWEH’s anger burned against his people, and he struck them down with his holy hand! The mountains trembled, and dead bodies were littered like garbage left in the streets. Even with this, his anger has not turned away and still his hand is heavy upon them! He will lift up a banner to signal the distant nations; he whistles for them to come from the ends of the earth. Look! Here they come, running swiftly and speedily! Not one warrior stumbles or grows weary— not even stopping to rest or sleep; they are battle ready! Their arrows are sharpened and every bow strung. Their horses’ hooves are hard as flint and their chariot wheels turn like the whirlwind. Their shout is like a lion’s roar, the roar of strong lions growling as they seize their prey. They carry away captives, and none can rescue them. They will roar and roar on that day like the roaring of crashing waves, and if you look back across the land you’ll see only darkness, disaster, and distress; daylight itself will be obscured by thick clouds.

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