מוסר אויף ישעיהו 28:22

And the fourth section: One who always makes a habit for himself to engage in idle talk, and idle matters, like those who sit in the street corners. And there are two evils in the matter: The first is because all who proliferate words bring sin. And the second is that he is idle from [speaking] words of Torah. And the ways of death [are found] in this. For he does not remember or pay attention, that the time periods that he is wasting, he could [use] to reach pleasantness, to acquire eternal life - if he were to set these available times for Torah when he is free to pursue it, being unburdened by his work and dealings? This is nothing but his heart despising the commandments and the reward of the World to Come. In addition to losing much goodness, he will incur sin. For the guilt [accrued] from neglecting Torah when he has the ability to study it is a fire that consumes to destruction, as [the sages] said (Avot deRabbi Natan 36:6), “'For he has despised the word of the Lord' (Numbers 15:31) - anyone who can study Torah but does not...," as we mentioned earlier. And they, may their memory be blessed, said, [that] one who goes to a place where they gather for frivolity, this is considered a place of scorners, about which it says (Psalms 1:1), “nor sits in the company of scorners,” and it is stated afterward, “but his delight is in the law of the Lord.” You learn from this that a place of scorners leads to the neglect of Torah. And he who does not set his heart to engage in the Torah during his free time should take heed for his own soul, so he does not get lost. He should rather isolate himself to reflect upon his end, understand his fate, examine his ways, acquire virtues of the soul and draw near to God, may He be blessed.
The Fifth Section – One who scoffs with words about deeds and matters, though in his heart he does not despise them, but it is rather from the way of those who are joyous without cause and not according to the properties of [true] humor. Sometimes this is caused by wine and drunkenness, as it is stated (Proverbs 20:1), “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby will not grow wise,” meaning a person given to wine is a scoffer, a person given to strong drink rages, anyone misled by it will not grow wise. It is like (Psalms 109:4), “But I am prayer,” [means] a person given to prayer. This implies that wine feasting causes three bad things: First, it makes a person a scoffer. Second, it makes him a boisterous and talkative person. And they, may their memory be blessed, said, “He who speaks excessively brings about sin.” And it is stated (Ecclesiastes 5:2), “And the voice of a fool is known by a multitude of words.” The third thing, “whosoever is deceived thereby will not grow wise.” Know that the habit of mockery does not become entrenched in a person’s soul until he throws off the yoke of the Heavens from upon himself. Therefore he will be punished to carry the yoke of afflictions - measure for measure - as it is stated (Isaiah 28:22), “Now therefore do not be scoffers, lest your suffering be made strong.” And they, may their memory be blessed, said (Avodah Zarah 18b), “Anyone who scoffs, suffering will befall him, as it is stated, ‘lest your suffering be made strong.’” And the Sages would warn their students against scoffing even occasionally and by chance. And about this section they had to warn, since many have stumbled on it in an occasional way.

Behold, the prophet Isaiah would "scream like a crane" for he saw that this was what left no room for his rebukes to make an impression thus ruining all hope for the sinners. This is what he said: "And now do not be mockers lest your afflictions be strengthened" (Isaiah 28:22).

According to the severity of the sin and its consequences, the True Judge increased its punishment as our sages of blessed memory taught us: "levity is extremely severe; it starts with suffering and ends in utter destruction as written (Isaiah 28:22):'And now do not be mockers lest your bonds be strengthened for a decree of destruction have I heard...' " (Avodah Zara 18b).