1How terrible for the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and for the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which sits on the head of the fertile valley of those overcome by wine!
2Behold, the Lord has someone mighty and strong. Like a hailstorm, a destructive storm, and like a flood of powerful overflowing waters, he will forcefully throw them to the ground.
3The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trampled underfoot.
4The fading flower of their glorious beauty, which sits on the head of the fertile valley, will be like the first ripe fig before summer; as soon as someone sees it, they pick it and eat it.
5On that day, Yahweh of Armies will be a glorious crown and a beautiful tiara for the rest of his people,
6and a spirit of fairness to anyone who judges, and strength to those who push back the battle at the city gate.
7They also sway with wine and stagger from strong drink. The priest and the prophet sway from strong drink. They are overwhelmed by wine. They stagger from strong drink. They make mistakes in their visions. They stumble when making judgments.
8For all the tables are completely covered with filthy vomit.
9Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? To those who have been weaned from milk and taken from their mothers' breasts?
10For it is: 'Rule after rule, rule after rule, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there.'
11But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in a foreign language,
12to whom he said, "This is the resting place. Give rest to the weary." And "This is refreshing." Yet they refused to listen.
13Therefore, Yahweh's word will be to them: "Rule after rule, rule after rule, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there." This is so they may go, fall backward, be broken, be trapped, and be captured.
14So listen to Yahweh's word, you mockers who rule this people in Jerusalem:
15"Because you have said, 'We have made an agreement with death, and we have a pact with the grave. When the overwhelming disaster sweeps through, it will not reach us, because we have made lies our refuge and hidden ourselves under falsehood.'"
16Therefore, Lord Yahweh says this: "Watch, I am laying a stone in Zion as a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone that provides a sure foundation. Whoever believes in it will not be in a hurry."
17I will use justice as the measuring line and righteousness as the plumb line. Hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and water will flood the hiding place.
18Your treaty with death will be canceled, and your agreement with the grave will not stand. When the overflowing disaster sweeps through, you will be trampled by it.
19Every time it passes through, it will grab you; for it will pass through morning after morning, day and night; and the understanding of the message will bring nothing but terror."
20For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
21For Yahweh will rise up as he did on Mount Perazim. He will be angry as he was in the valley of Gibeon; he will do his work, his unusual work, and carry out his act, his extraordinary act.
22So now, don't be scoffers, or your chains will become stronger. For I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, concerning the whole earth.
23Pay attention and listen to my voice! Listen and hear what I have to say!
24Does a farmer who plows for planting plow continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking up the clods?
25Once he has leveled its surface, doesn't he plant the dill, scatter the cumin seed, and put the wheat in rows, the barley in its designated place, and the spelt in its proper spot?
26For his God guides him with good judgment and teaches him.
27For dill is not threshed with a sharp tool, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin; instead, dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.
28Bread flour must be ground; so he won't keeping threshing it forever. Even though he drives the wheel of his threshing cart over it, his horses don't grind it.
29This also comes from Yahweh of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.