< Isaiah 28 >
1 Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim [Fruit], and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine!
2 Behold, 'Adonay [Lord] has a mighty and strong one. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast them down to the earth with his hand.
3 The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim [Fruit] will be trodden under foot.
4 The fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first-ripe fig before the summer; which someone picks and eats as soon as he sees it.
5 In that day, Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies] will become a crown of glory, and a diadem ·crown· of beauty, to the residue of his people;
6 and a spirit of mishpat ·justice· to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
7 They are lead astray, intoxicated, unintentional sin ·error· with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet are lead astray, intoxicated, unintentional sin ·error· with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They are lead astray, intoxicated, unintentional sin ·error· in vision. They stumble in judgment.
8 For all tables are completely full of filthy vomit and filthiness.
9 Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
10 For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.
11 But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language;
12 to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to weary;” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not sh'ma ·hear obey·.
13 Therefore Adonai’s word will be to them precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, fall backward, be broken, be snared, and be taken.
14 Therefore sh'ma ·hear obey· Adonai’s word, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem [City of peace]:
15 “Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· with death, and with Sheol ·Place of the dead· are we in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’” (Sheol )
16 Therefore thus says 'Adonay Adonai [Lord Yahweh], “Behold, I lay in Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking] for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone of a sure foundation. He who trusts shall not act hastily.
17 I will make mishpat ·justice· the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.
18 Your covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol ·Place of the dead· shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. (Sheol )
19 As often as it passes through, it will seize you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be nothing but terror to understand the message.”
20 For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
21 For Adonai will rise up as on Mount Perazim. He will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his unusual work, and bring to pass his act, his extraordinary act.
22 Now therefore don’t be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have sh'ma ·heard obeyed· a decree of destruction from 'Adonay, Adonai Tzva'ot [Lord, Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], on the whole earth.
23 Give ear, and sh'ma ·hear obey· my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!
24 Does he who plows to sow plow continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?
25 When he has leveled its surface, does not he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?
26 For his God instructs him in right judgment, and teaches him.
27 For the dill are not threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.
28 Bread flour must be ground; so he will not always be threshing it. Although he drives the wheel of his threshing cart over it, his horses don’t grind it.
29 This also comes out from Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.
