Isaiæ 28
1 Vae coronae superbiae, ebriis Ephraim, et flori decidenti, gloriae exultationis eius, qui erant in vertice vallis pinguissimae, errantes a vino.
Tragedy is coming to the city of Samaria, the crowning glory of Ephraim's drunks, to the fading flower of wonderful beauty, sitting above a fertile valley, and beloved by those hammered by wine.
2 Ecce validus et fortis Dominus sicut impetus grandinis: turbo confringens, sicut impetus aquarum multarum inundantium, et emissarum super terram spatiosam.
Watch out, for the Lord has someone who is strong and powerful! He is going to smash it to the ground like a hailstorm and a tornado, like a torrential rain and an overwhelming flood.
3 Pedibus conculcabitur corona superbiae ebriorum Ephraim.
That crowning glory of Ephraim's drunks will be trampled underfoot.
4 Et erit flos decidens gloriae exultationis eius, qui est super verticem vallis pinguium, quasi temporaneum ante maturitatem autumni: quod cum aspexerit videns, statim ut manu tenuerit, devorabit illud.
That fading flower of wonderful beauty, sitting above a fertile valley, will be like figs ripe before the summer harvest—as soon as people discover them, they grab and eat them.
5 In die illa erit Dominus exercituum corona gloriae, et sertum exultationis residuo populi sui:
At that time the Lord Almighty will be a beautiful, glorious crown that brings pride to those of his people who are left.
6 et spiritus iudicii sedenti super iudicium, et fortitudo revertentibus de bello ad portam.
He will be an inspiration to the judges to do what's right, and he will encourage those who fight off the attacks on the gate.
7 Verum hi quoque prae vino nescierunt, et prae ebrietate erraverunt: sacerdos et propheta nescierunt prae ebrietate, absorpti sunt a vino, erraverunt in ebrietate, nescierunt videntem, ignoraverunt iudicium.
But these people also drink so much wine and beer that they sway from side to side and stumble over. Even priests and prophets stagger along, their minds muddled by beer and wine. Because of the drink they are confused about visions and make mistakes when they give decisions.
8 Omnes enim mensae repletae sunt vomitu sordium, ita ut non esset ultra locus.
All their tables are full of vomit—filth is everywhere.
9 Quem docebit scientiam? et quem intelligere faciet auditum? ablactatos a lacte, avulsos ab uberibus.
“Just who is he trying to teach knowledge to?” they ask. “Who is he explaining his message to? To children just weaned from milk, to babies just removed from the breast?
10 Quia manda remanda, manda remanda, expecta reexpecta, expecta reexpecta, modicum ibi, modicum ibi.
He tells us this blah and that blah, blah upon blah, and again blah and blah, and even more blah and blah! It's a bit here and a bit there.”
11 In loquela enim labii, et lingua altera loquetur ad populum istum.
Fine—so now the Lord will talk to this people in foreign languages that sound strange to them!
12 Cui dixit: Haec est requies mea, reficite lassum, et hoc est meum refrigerium: et noluerunt audire.
He had told them, “You can rest here. Let those who are tired rest. This is the place where you can safely relax.” But they refused to listen.
13 Et erit eis verbum Domini: Manda remanda, manda remanda, expecta reexpecta, expecta reexpecta, modicum ibi, modicum ibi: ut vadant, et cadant retrorsum, et conterantur, et illaqueentur, et capiantur.
Therefore the Lord's message to them will become, “This blah and that blah, blah upon blah, and again blah and blah, and even more blah and blah, a bit here and a bit there,” so that they'll fall over backwards, and they'll be wounded, trapped, and captured.
14 Propter hoc audite verbum Domini viri illusores, qui dominamini super populum meum, qui est in Ierusalem.
So pay attention to the Lord's message, you scornful rulers who lead these people in Jerusalem.
15 Dixistis enim: Percussimus foedus 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)
You claim, “We've made an agreement with death; we've got a contract with the grave. When the terrible disaster rushes by, it won't affect us, because our lies protect us and we hide in our own deceptions.” (Sheol h7585)
16 Idcirco haec dicit Dominus Deus: Ecce ego mittam in fundamentis Sion lapidem, lapidem probatum, angularem, pretiosum, in fundamento fundatum, qui crediderit, non festinet.
Consequently, listen to what the Lord God says, Look! I'm laying a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a strong, well-tested stone. It's a valuable cornerstone that provides a firm foundation. Anyone who trusts in it won't be shaken loose.
17 Et ponam in pondere iudicium, et iustitiam in mensura: et subvertet grando spem mendacii: et protectionem aquae inundabunt.
I will make justice as straight as a measuring line, and doing what's right the standard rule. Hail will destroy the protection of your lies, and water will flood the place where you're hiding.
18 Et delebitur foedus vestrum cum morte, et pactum vestrum cum inferno non stabit: flagellum inundans cum transierit, eritis ei in conculcationem. (Sheol h7585)
Your agreement with death will be canceled; your contract with the grave will be revoked. When the terrible disaster rushes by, it will trample you underfoot. (Sheol h7585)
19 Quandocumque pertransierit, tollet vos: quoniam in mane diluculo pertransibit in die et in nocte, et tantummodo sola vexatio intellectum dabit auditui.
It will rush by time after time, dragging you away morning upon morning, day and night, rushing on and on. Once you understand this message you will be absolutely terrified.
20 Coangustatum est enim stratum, ita ut alter decidat: et pallium breve utrumque operire non potest.
The bed is too short so you can't stretch out; the blanket is too narrow so you can't cover yourself.
21 Sicut enim in monte divisionum stabit Dominus: sicut in valle, quae est in Gabaon, irascetur: ut faciat opus suum, alienum opus eius: ut operetur opus suum, peregrinum est opus eius ab eo.
The Lord will come on the attack like he did to the Philistines at Mount Perazim, like he shook them in the Valley of Gibeon, coming to do what he has to do, his strange work; coming to act as he must, his unusual action.
22 Et nunc nolite illudere, ne forte constringantur vincula vestra. consummationem enim et abbreviationem audivi a Domino Deo exercituum super universam terram.
So don't mock, or your imprisonment will be even worse, for the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has explained to me his decision to destroy the whole country.
23 Auribus percipite, et audite vocem meam, attendite, et audite eloquium meum.
Listen to what I'm saying! Listen and pay attention! Hear what I have to say!
24 Numquid tota die arabit arans ut serat, proscindet et sarriet humum suam?
Does the farmer spend all his time ploughing? Does he spend all his time preparing the soil?
25 Nonne cum adaequaverit faciem eius, seret gith, et cyminum sparget, et ponet triticum per ordinem, et hordeum, et milium, et viciam in finibus suis?
Once he has everything ready doesn't he sow seeds like dill and cumin, doesn't he plant wheat and barley in rows, with spelt grain as a border?
26 Et erudiet illum in iudicio: Deus suus docebit illum.
His God gives him instructions and teaches him the right thing to do.
27 Non enim in serris triturabitur gith, nec rota plaustri super cyminum circuibit: sed in virga excutietur gith et cyminum in baculo.
You don't use a heavy tool to thresh dill! You don't use the wheel of a cart to thresh cumin! Instead you use a stick to beat out the dill, and a rod to beat out the cumin.
28 Panis autem comminuetur: verum non in perpetuum triturans triturabit illum, neque vexabit eum rota plaustri, neque ungulis suis comminuet eum.
Grain used for bread is easily damaged so you don't thresh it forever. When you drive your cart wheels over it with your horses, you don't crush it.
29 Et hoc a Domino Deo exercituum exivit, ut mirabile faceret consilium, et magnificaret iustitiam.
This is also from the Lord Almighty who is very wise and gives great advice.
