4. The withering flower, its beautiful splendor,situated at the head of a rich valley, will be like an early fig before harvest – as soon as someone notices it,he grabs it and swallows it.
5. At that time the Lord who commands armies will become a beautiful crown and a splendid diadem for the remnant of his people.
6. He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions,and strength to those who defend the city from attackers.
7. Even these men stagger because of wine,they stumble around because of beer – priests and prophets stagger because of beer,they are confused because of wine,they stumble around because of beer;they stagger while seeing prophetic visions,they totter while making legal decisions.
8. Indeed, all the tables are covered with vomit;no place is untouched.
9. Who is the Lord trying to teach?To whom is he explaining a message?Those just weaned from milk!Those just taken from their mother’s breast!
10. Indeed, they will hear meaningless gibberish,senseless babbling,a syllable here, a syllable there.
11. For with mocking lips and a foreign tonguehe will speak to these people.
12. In the past he said to them,“This is where security can be found.Provide security for the one who is exhausted!This is where rest can be found.”But they refused to listen.
13. So the Lord’s word to them will sound likemeaningless gibberish,senseless babbling,a syllable here, a syllable there.As a result, they will fall on their backsides when they try to walk,and be injured, ensnared, and captured.
14. Therefore, listen to the Lord’s word,you who mock,you rulers of these peoplewho reside in Jerusalem!
15. For you say,“We have made a treaty with death,with Sheol we have made an agreement.When the overwhelming judgment sweeps byit will not reach us.For we have made a lie our refuge,we have hidden ourselves in a deceitful word.”