Isaiah 57
1 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil.
Good people die, and nobody cares; the faithful pass away, and nobody thinks that they were being protected from evil.
2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.
Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
3 “But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
4 Whom are you mocking? At whom do you snarl and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,
Who are you making fun of when you make sneering faces and stick out your tongues? Aren't you the children of sin and lies?
5 who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
You're the ones having pagan orgies under the oak trees, under every green tree. You sacrifice your children in the valleys and among the rocky peaks.
6 Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?
You have chosen to worship the smooth stones from the streams of the valleys—that's the choice you've made! You have poured out drink offerings to these idols—you have presented them with grain offerings. Should that make me happy?
7 On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
8 Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.
You've placed your pagan signs behind your doors and on your doorposts. Deserting me, you took off your clothes and climbed into bed, committing yourselves to those you love to be in bed with. You've seen them naked.
9 You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself. (Sheol h7585)
You went to offer Molech olive oil, covering yourself with many perfumes. You sent your messengers to distant places; you even went down into the world of the dead. (Sheol h7585)
10 You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.
You wore yourselves out by such running around, but you didn't give up and say, “It's hopeless!” You found new strength and so didn't become weak.
11 Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?
Who were you scared of, who frightened you so much that you lied to me, didn't remember me, didn't even think about me? Is it because I've been quiet for so long that you don't even fear me?
12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.
I'm going to let everyone know about how you're so good and the things you do—but they won't help you!
13 When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”
When you cry out for help, let's see if your collection of idols will save you! The wind will blow them all away, just a breath and they're gone! But whoever comes to me for help will own the land and possess my holy mountain.
14 And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in the way of my people.
15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
This is what the one who is high above all says, he who lives in eternity, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, together with those who repent and who act humbly, restoring their spirits and encouraging them.
16 For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.
I won't fight with you forever; I won't be angry with you forever. Otherwise you'd lose heart, the very people I gave life to.
17 I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.
Yes, I was angry with these sinful, greedy people so I punished them. I was angry, so I hid myself from them, but they went on their own rebellious way, doing whatever they wanted.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
I know what they're doing, but I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort those who mourn,
19 bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
so they will able to say thankyou. The Lord declares, Peace, peace, to those who are far away and those who are near. I will heal you.
20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.
But the wicked are like the sea that is tossed about, never keeping still, churning up the mud and muck with its waves.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
