Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards , to the fading flower of his glorious splendor , set on the summit above the fertile valley , (the pride) of those overcome by wine.
Behold , the Lord (has one ) (who is) strong and mighty. vvv Like a hailstorm or destructive tempest , like a driving rain ... or flooding downpour ... , he will smash (that crown) ... to the ground.
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot ....
The fading flower of his beautiful splendor , (set) on the summit above the fertile valley , will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest : - Whoever sees it - will take it in his hand (and) swallow it.
On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a crown of glory , a diadem of splendor to the remnant of His people ,
a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment , and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink : Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink , muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.
For all their tables are covered with vomit ; there is not a place without filth.
- Whom is He trying to teach ... ? - To whom is He explaining His message ? To infants just weaned from milk ? To babies removed from the breast ?
For (they hear) : “ Order on order , order on order , line on line , line on line ; a little here , a little there. ”
Indeed , with mocking lips and foreign tongues , He will speak to this people
to whom He has said - : “ This is the place of rest , let the weary rest ; this is the place of repose. ” But they would not listen.
Then the word of the LORD will become : “ Order on order , order on order , line on line , line on line ; a little here , a little there , ” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured , ensnared , and captured.
Therefore hear the word of the LORD , O scoffers who rule this - people in Jerusalem.
For you said , “ We have made a covenant with death ; we have fashioned an agreement ... with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us , because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place. ”
So this is what the Lord GOD says : “ See , I lay a stone in Zion , a tested stone , a precious cornerstone , a sure foundation ; the one who believes will never be shaken.
I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies , and water will flood your hiding place.
Your covenant with death will be dissolved , and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through , you will be trampled by it.
As often as it passes through , it will carry you away - - ; it will sweep through morning after morning , by day and by night .... ” The understanding of (this) message (will bring) sheer terror.
Indeed , the bed is too short to stretch out on , and the blanket too small to wrap around you.
For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as (in) the Valley of Gibeon , to do His work , His strange work , and to perform His task , His disturbing task.
So now , do not mock , or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed , I have heard - from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
Does the plowman plow for planting every day ? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil ?
When he has leveled its surface , does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin ? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots , and rye within its border.
For his God instructs and teaches him properly.
Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge , and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick , and cumin with a rod.
Grain for bread must be ground , but it is not endlessly threshed .... ... Though the wheels of the cart roll over it , the horses do not crush it.
This also comes from the LORD of Hosts , (who) is wonderful in counsel (and) excellent in wisdom.