Isaiah 57
1 Good people die, and nobody cares; the faithful pass away, and nobody thinks that they were being protected from evil.
The righteous perish, and no one lays it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil.
2 Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
He enters into peace. They rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.
3 But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
“But draw near here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.
4 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?
Whom do you mock? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Are not you children of disobedience and offspring of falsehood,
5 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.
you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6 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?
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion. They, they are your lot. You have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things?
7 You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
8 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.
You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts, for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me, and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made you a covenant with them. You loved what you saw on their bed.
9 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)
You went to the king with oil, increased your perfumes, sent your ambassadors far off, and degraded yourself even to Sheol (Sheol h7585).
10 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.
You were wearied with the length of your ways; yet you did not say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you were not faint.
11 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?
“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Have not I held my peace for a long time, and you do not fear me?
12 I'm going to let everyone know about how you're so good and the things you do—but they won't help you!
I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they will not benefit you.
13 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.
When you cry, let those whom you have gathered deliver you, but the wind will take them. A breath will carry them all away, but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.”
14 He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in the way of my people.
He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”
15 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.
For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 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.
For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.
17 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.
I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I know what they're doing, but I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort those who mourn,
I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19 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.
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the LORD; “and I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the sea that is tossed about, never keeping still, churning up the mud and muck with its waves.
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest and its waters cast up mire and mud.
21 There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
“There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”
