Isaiæ 28
1 Vae coronae superbiae, ebriis Ephraim, et flori decidenti, gloriae exultationis eius, qui erant in vertice vallis pinguissimae, errantes a vino.
Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, 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 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 mighty and strong. 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 Pedibus conculcabitur corona superbiae ebriorum Ephraim.
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot.
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.
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 die illa erit Dominus exercituum corona gloriae, et sertum exultationis residuo populi sui:
In that day, the LORD of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people,
6 et spiritus iudicii sedenti super iudicium, et fortitudo revertentibus de bello ad portam.
and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at 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.
They also reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They err in vision. They stumble in judgment.
8 Omnes enim mensae repletae sunt vomitu sordium, ita ut non esset ultra locus.
For all tables are completely full of filthy vomit and filthiness.
9 Quem docebit scientiam? et quem intelligere faciet auditum? ablactatos a lacte, avulsos ab uberibus.
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 Quia manda remanda, manda remanda, expecta reexpecta, expecta reexpecta, modicum ibi, modicum ibi.
For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.
11 In loquela enim labii, et lingua altera loquetur ad populum istum.
But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language,
12 Cui dixit: Haec est requies mea, reficite lassum, et hoc est meum refrigerium: et noluerunt audire.
to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to the weary,” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear.
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 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 Propter hoc audite verbum Domini viri illusores, qui dominamini super populum meum, qui est in Ierusalem.
Therefore hear the LORD’s word, you scoffers, that rule this 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)
“Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. 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 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.
Therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
17 Et ponam in pondere iudicium, et iustitiam in mensura: et subvertet grando spem mendacii: et protectionem aquae inundabunt.
I will make 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 Et delebitur foedus vestrum cum morte, et pactum vestrum cum inferno non stabit: flagellum inundans cum transierit, eritis ei in conculcationem. (Sheol h7585)
Your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down 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 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 Coangustatum est enim stratum, ita ut alter decidat: et pallium breve utrumque operire non potest.
For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
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.
For the LORD 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 Et nunc nolite illudere, ne forte constringantur vincula vestra. consummationem enim et abbreviationem audivi a Domino Deo exercituum super universam terram.
Now therefore don’t be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord, GOD of Armies, on the whole earth.
23 Auribus percipite, et audite vocem meam, attendite, et audite eloquium meum.
Give ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!
24 Numquid tota die arabit arans ut serat, proscindet et sarriet humum suam?
Does he who plows to sow plow continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?
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?
When he has leveled its surface, doesn’t 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 Et erudiet illum in iudicio: Deus suus docebit illum.
For his God instructs him in right judgment and teaches him.
27 Non enim in serris triturabitur gith, nec rota plaustri super cyminum circuibit: sed in virga excutietur gith et cyminum in baculo.
For the dill isn’t 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 Panis autem comminuetur: verum non in perpetuum triturans triturabit illum, neque vexabit eum rota plaustri, neque ungulis suis comminuet eum.
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 Et hoc a Domino Deo exercituum exivit, ut mirabile faceret consilium, et magnificaret iustitiam.
This also comes out from the LORD of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.
