Isaiah 28:7-19

7Even these stagger because of wine and stumble under the influence of beer: Priest and prophet stagger because of beer. They are confused by wine. They stumble because of beer. They are muddled in their visions. They stumble in their judgments.

8Indeed, all their tables are covered with vomit; there is no place without a stench.

9Who is he trying to teach? Who is he trying to instruct? Infants just weaned from milk? Babies removed from the breast?

10“Law after law, law after law, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there.”

11For he will speak to this people with stammering speech and in a foreign language.

12He had said to them, “This is the place of rest; let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

13The word of the Lord will come to them: “Law after law, law after law, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there,” so they go stumbling backward, to be broken, trapped, and captured.

14Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.

15For you said, “We have made a covenant with Death, and we have an agreement with Sheol; when the overwhelming catastrophe passes through, it will not touch us, because we have made falsehood our refuge and have hidden behind treachery.”

16Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.

17And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level.” Hail will sweep away the false refuge, and water will flood your hiding place.

18Your covenant with Death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not last. When the overwhelming catastrophe passes through, you will be trampled.

19Every time it passes through, it will carry you away; it will pass through every morning — every day and every night. Only terror will cause you to understand the message.