14 Therefore, listen to Yahweh’s message,

you people who are always mocking,

you rulers of the people there in Yerushalem (Jerusalem),

15 because you’ve all said, “We’ve come to an agreement with death,

≈ and we have an understanding with the grave.

When the overwhelming scourge goes past,

it won’t bother us because we’ve made lies our shelter,

≈ and we hide in deception.”

16 Therefore, my master Yahweh says:

Look, I’ve put a foundation stone in place in Tsiyon (Zion)—one that’s been tested.

It’s a valuable cornerstone—a reliable foundation.

Anyone who trusts in it won’t have to rush away.[ref]

17 Then I’ll make justice into a measuring stick,

and righteous into a levelling tool.

Hail will sweep away the shelter of lies,

and floods will drown the hiding place.[ref]

18 Then your agreement with death will be dissolved,

≈ and your understanding with the grave will collapse.[ref]

When the overwhelming scourge comes past,

→ you’ll all be overwhelmed by it.

19 When it comes past, it’ll take you all

because it’ll come past morning by morning, and day and night.

Understanding the message will bring only terror,

20 because the bed is too short for stretching yourself out on,

≈ and the woven blanket is too narrow to wrap around you.

21 Yahweh will take action like he did at Mt. Peratsim.[ref]

≈ He’ll stir himself up like he did in Giveon valley[ref]

to do his work—his special work.

≈ To perform his task—his special task. 22 So now, don’t show yourselves to be mockers

in case your chains become heavier,

because I’ve heard from my master, Commander-in-chief Yahweh

about complete destruction and the rest that’s been determined against the entire land.