^{15 Ref} Because you have said, We have made death our friend, and with the underworld we have made an agreement; when the overflowing waters come through they will not come near us; for we are looking to false words for help, taking cover in what is untrue:

^{16 Ref} For this cause says the Lord God, See, I am placing in Zion as a base, a stone, a tested stone, an angle-stone which is certain and of great value: and he who has faith will not give way.

^{17 Ref} And I will make right decision the measuring-line, and righteousness the weight: and the ice-storm will take away the safe place of false words, and the secret place will be covered by the flowing waters.

^{18 Ref} And the help you were looking for from death will come to nothing, and your agreement with the underworld will be broken; when the overflowing waters come through, then you will be overcome by them.

^{19 Ref} Whenever they come through they will overtake you; for they will come through morning after morning, by day and by night: and the news will be nothing but fear.

^{20 Ref} For the bed is not long enough for a man to be stretched out on: and the cover is not wide enough for him to be covered with.