Isaiah 28:9-22

They say, “Who does this prophet think he is to try to teach us? Who really cares about his message? It’s only good for babies just learning to talk. Do, do this, and do, do that, a rule about this and a rule about that, here a little, there a little.” Since they won’t listen to me, God will use another mouthpiece to speak to them. With stammering lips and in a foreign language, he will speak to this people. For he has said to them, “This is your rest, so let the weary rest; this is your comfort”—but they would not listen. Therefore, the word of YAHWEH will be to them “Do, do this, and do, do that, a rule about this and a rule about that, here a little, there a little,” in order that they will stumble backward and be broken and captured. Therefore, listen to the word of YAHWEH, you scornful jesters—rulers of Jerusalem. For you have said, “We have made a covenant with death and a pact with the underworld, so when the overwhelming scourge sweeps over us, it will not harm us. For we have made lies our refuge and found our shelter in falsehood.” Here’s what the Lord God says: “Behold, I set in place in Zion a Foundation Stone, fully tested and proven to be faithful and secure. And written upon this precious cornerstone is this: ‘Those who trust in him will not act in haste.’ I will set justice as the true measurement and integrity as its plumb line. My hailstorm will sweep away your refuge of lies, and my floodwaters will overwhelm your hiding place. Then your covenant with death will be annulled and your pact with the underworld will not stand. And when the overwhelming scourge sweeps over you, it will sweep you away! As often as disaster passes by, it will carry you away; morning by morning, day after day, it will sweep you away!” When you fully understand this message, it will bring nothing but terror to you! Your bed is too short to stretch yourself out on, and your covering is too narrow to wrap yourself in. The Lord YAHWEH will suddenly arise as on Mount Perazim and in the valley of Gibeon. He arises to accomplish his strange work—peculiar as it is— his strange work of judgment. So do not mock, or your bonds will grow tighter. For I have heard the decree from my Lord YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies. He spoke a decree of destruction against the whole land.