Isaiæ 28
1 Væ coronæ superbiæ, ebriis Ephraim, et flori decidenti, gloriæ exultationis eius, qui erant in vertice vallis pinguissimæ, errantes a vino.
Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.
2 Ecce validus et fortis Dominus sicut impetus grandinis: turbo confringens, sicut impetus aquarum multarum inundantium, et emissarum super terram spatiosam.
Behold, the Lord has one who is strong and mighty. Like a hailstorm or destructive tempest, like a driving rain or flooding downpour, he will smash that crown to the ground.
3 Pedibus conculcabitur corona superbiæ ebriorum Ephraim.
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
4 Et erit flos decidens gloriæ exultationis eius, qui est super verticem vallis pinguium, quasi temporaneum ante maturitatem autumni: quod cum aspexerit videns, statim ut manu tenuerit, devorabit illud.
The fading flower of his beautiful splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest: Whoever sees it will take it in his hand and swallow it.
5 In die illa erit Dominus exercituum corona gloriæ, et sertum exultationis residuo populi sui:
On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a crown of glory, a diadem of splendor to the remnant of His people,
6 et spiritus iudicii sedenti super iudicium, et fortitudo revertentibus de bello ad portam.
a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
7 Verum hi quoque præ vino nescierunt, et præ ebrietate erraverunt: sacerdos et propheta nescierunt præ ebrietate, absorpti sunt a vino, erraverunt in ebrietate, nescierunt videntem, ignoraverunt iudicium.
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.
8 Omnes enim mensæ repletæ sunt vomitu sordiumque, ita ut non esset ultra locus.
For all their tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth.
9 Quem docebit scientiam? Et quem intelligere faciet auditum? Ablactatos a lacte, avulsos ab uberibus.
Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?
10 Quia manda remanda, manda remanda, expecta reexpecta, expecta reexpecta, modicum ibi, modicum ibi.
For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”
11 In loquela enim labii, et lingua altera loquetur ad populum istum.
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
12 Cui dixit: Hæc est requies mea, reficite lassum, et hoc est meum refrigerium: et noluerunt audire.
to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.
13 Et erit eis verbum Domini: Manda remanda, manda remanda, expecta reexspecta, expecta reexspecta, modicum ibi, modicum ibi: ut vadant, et cadant retrorsum, et conterantur, et illaqueentur, et capiantur.
Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.
14 Propter hoc audite verbum Domini viri illusores, qui dominamini super populum meum, qui est in Ierusalem.
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
15 Dixistis enim: Percussimus fœdus cum morte, et cum inferno fecimus pactum. Flagellum inundans cum transierit, non veniet super nos: quia posuimus mendacium spem nostram, et mendacio protecti sumus. (Sheol h7585)
For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” (Sheol h7585)
16 Idcirco hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Ecce ego mittam in fundamentis Sion lapidem, lapidem probatum, angularem, pretiosum, in fundamento fundatum, qui crediderit, non festinet.
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
17 Et ponam in pondere iudicium, et iustitiam in mensura: et subvertet grando spem mendacii: et protectionem aquæ inundabunt.
I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.
18 Et delebitur fœdus vestrum cum morte, et pactum vestrum cum inferno non stabit: flagellum inundans cum transierit, eritis ei in conculcationem. (Sheol h7585)
Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it. (Sheol h7585)
19 Quandocumque pertransierit, tollet vos: quoniam in mane diluculo pertransibit in die et in nocte, et tantummodo sola vexatio intellectum dabit auditui.
As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.
20 Coangustatum est enim stratum, ita ut alter decidat: et pallium breve utrumque operire non potest.
Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.
21 Sicut enim in monte divisionum stabit Dominus: sicut in valle, quæ est in Gabaon, irascetur: ut faciat opus suum, alienum opus eius: ut operetur opus suum, peregrinum est opus eius ab eo.
For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon, to do His work, His strange work, and to perform His task, His disturbing task.
22 Et nunc nolite illudere, ne forte constringantur vincula vestra. Consummationem enim et abbreviationem audivi a Domino Deo exercituum super universam terram.
So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.
23 Auribus percipite, et audite vocem meam, attendite, et audite eloquium meum.
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
24 Numquid tota die arabit arans ut serat, proscindet et sarriet humum suam?
Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil?
25 Nonne cum adæquaverit faciem eius, seret gith, et cyminum sparget, et ponet triticum per ordinem, et hordeum, et milium, et viciam in finibus suis?
When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border.
26 Et erudiet illum in iudicio: Deus suus docebit illum.
For his God instructs and teaches him properly.
27 Non enim in serris triturabitur gith, nec rota plaustri super cyminum circuibit: sed in virga excutietur gith et cyminum in baculo.
Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.
28 Panis autem comminuetur: verum non in perpetuum triturans triturabit illum, neque vexabit eum rota plaustri, neque ungulis suis comminuet eum.
Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it.
29 Et hoc a Domino Deo exercituum exivit, ut mirabile faceret consilium, et magnificaret iustitiam.
This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
