13. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become:do this, do that,a rule for this, a rule for that;a little here, a little there –so that as they go they will fall backwards;they will be injured and snared and captured.
14. Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scofferswho rule this people in Jerusalem.
15. You boast, ‘We have entered into a covenant with death,with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,it cannot touch us,for we have made a lie our refugeand falsehood our hiding-place.’
16. So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who relies on itwill never be stricken with panic.
17. I will make justice the measuring lineand righteousness the plumb-line;hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,and water will overflow your hiding-place.
18. Your covenant with death will be annulled;your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,you will be beaten down by it.