Isaiah, Chapter 57
1
The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].
2
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.
4
Against whom do you⁺ sport yourselves? Against whom do you⁺ make a wide mouth, and put out the tongue? Are you⁺ not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
5
you⁺ who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who slay the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6
Among the smooth [stones] of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot; even to them you have poured a drink-offering, you have offered an oblation. Shall my [Speech] be appeased for these things?
7
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice.
8
And behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered [yourself] to other than me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and you made a covenant with them: you have loved their bed, you have looked at the hand.[fn]
9
And you went to the king with oil, and increased your perfumes, and sent your ambassadors far off, and debased yourself even to Sheol.[fn]
10
You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn't say, It is in vain: you found a quickening of your strength; therefore you were not faint.
11
And of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and haven't remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven't I held my peace even of long time, and you don't fear me?
12
I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they will not profit you.
13
When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind will take them, a breath will carry them all away: but he who trusts in my [Speech] will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.
14
And he will say, Cast⁺ up, cast⁺ up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.
15
For thus says the high and lofty One who stays eternally, whose name is Holy: I stay in the high and holy place, and with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the breath of those whom I have made.
17
For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry, and struck him; I hid [my face] and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near, says Yahweh; and I will heal him.
20
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can't rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
21
There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked.