Esias 57
1 See how the just man has perished, and no one lays [it] to heart: and righteous men are taken away, and no one considers: for the righteous has been removed out of the way of injustice.
Good people die, and nobody cares; the faithful pass away, and nobody thinks that they were being protected from evil.
2 His burial shall be in peace: he has been removed out of the way.
Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
3 But draw you near hither, you lawless children, the seed of adulterers and the harlot.
But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
4 Wherein have you been rioting? and against whom have you opened your mouth, and against whom have you loosed your tongue? are you not children of perdition? a lawless seed?
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 call upon idols under the leafy trees, slaying your children in the valleys amongst 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 That is your portion, this is your lot: and to them have you poured forth drink-offerings, and to these have you offered meat-offerings. Shall I not therefore be angry for these things?
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 lofty and high mountain, there is your bed, and there you carried up your meat-offerings:
You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
8 and behind the posts of your door you did place your memorials. Did you think that if you should depart from me, you would gain? you have loved those that lay with you;
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 and you have multiplied your whoredom with them, and you have increased the number of them that are far from you, and have sent ambassadors beyond your borders, and have been debased even to hell. (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 has wearied yourself with your many ways; yet you said not, I will cease to strengthen myself: for you has done these things; therefore you has not supplicated me.
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 Through dread of whom have you feared, and lied against me, and has not remembered, nor considered me, nor regarded me, yes, though when I see you I pass you by, yet you has not feared 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 And I will declare your righteousness, and your sins, which shall 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 them deliver you in your affliction: for all these the wind shall take, and the tempest shall carry [them] away: but they that cleave to me shall possess the land, and shall inherit 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 they shall say, Clear the ways before him, and take up the stumbling blocks out of the way of my people.
He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in the way of my people.
15 Thus says the Most High, who dwells on high for ever, Holy in the holies, is his name, the Most High resting in the holies, and giving patience to the faint-hearted, and giving life to the broken-hearted:
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 I will not take vengeance on you for ever, neither will I be always angry with you: for my Spirit shall go forth from me, and I have created all breath.
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 On account of sin for a little while I grieved him, and struck him, and turned away my face from him; and he was grieved, and he went on sorrowful in his ways.
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, and healed him, and comforted him, and given him true comfort;
I know what they're doing, but I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort those who mourn,
19 peace upon peace to them that are far off, and to them that are near: and the Lord has said, 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 unrighteous shall be tossed as troubled waves, and shall not be able to rest.
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 joy to the ungodly, said God.
There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
