1. How horrible it will be for the arrogant drunks of Ephraim.Their glorious beauty is ⌊like⌋ a withered flower.They are at the entrance to a fertile valleywhere they lie drunk from wine.
2. The Lord has one who is strong and powerful.He is like a hailstorm, a destructive wind.He is like a thunderstorm, an overwhelming flood.He will throw them to the ground forcefully.
3. The arrogant drunks of Ephraim will be trampled underfoot.
4. Their glorious beauty is ⌊like⌋ a withered flower.They are at the entrance to a fertile valley.They will be like figs that ripened early.As soon as someone sees them,they will be taken and eaten.
5. When that day comes, the Lord of Armies will belike a glorious crown for his few remaining people.
6. He will give a spirit of justice to those who judge.He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.
7. Priests and prophets stagger from wine and wobble from too much liquor.They stagger from too much liquorand become confused from too much wine.They wobble because of their liquor.They stagger when they see visions.They swerve as they judge.
8. All the tables are covered with vomit and excrement.There isn’t a clean place left.
9. To whom will they make the message understood?To whom will they explain this message?To children just weaned from milk?To those just taken from their ⌊mother’s⌋ breasts?
10. They speak utter nonsense.
11. The Lord will speak to these people.He will mock them by speaking in a foreign language.
12. He will say to them,“This is a place for comfort.This is a place of rest for those who are tired.This is a place for them to rest.”But they weren’t willing to listen.
13. The Lord speaks utter nonsense to them.That is why they will fall backwards.That is why they will be hurt, trapped, and captured.
14. So hear the word of the Lord, you foolish talkerswho rule the people in Jerusalem.