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 perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and godly men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
2 Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
He entereth into peace, they rest in their beds, each one that walketh in his uprightness.
3 But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot.
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?
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? Against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? Are ye not children of transgression, a seed 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.
Ye that inflame yourselves among the terebinths, under every leafy tree; that slay 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 thy portion; they, they are thy lot; even to them hast thou poured a drink-offering, thou hast offered a meal-offering. Should I pacify Myself for these things?
7 You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
Upon a high and lofty mountain hast thou set thy bed; thither also wentest thou up 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.
And behind the doors and the posts hast thou set up thy symbol; for thou hast uncovered, and art gone up from Me, thou hast enlarged thy bed, and chosen thee of them whose bed thou lovedst, whose hand thou sawest.
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)
And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thine ambassadors far off, even down to the nether-world. (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.
Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not: 'There is no hope'; thou didst find a renewal of thy strength, therefore thou wast not affected.
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?
And of whom hast thou been afraid and in fear, that thou wouldest fail? And as for Me, thou hast not remembered Me, nor laid it to thy heart. Have not I held My peace even of long time? Therefore thou fearest Me not.
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 thy righteousness; thy works also — they shall not profit thee.
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 thou criest, let them that thou hast gathered deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away, a breath shall bear them off; but he that taketh refuge in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.
14 He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in the way of my people.
And He will say: cast ye up, cast ye up, clear the way, take up the stumblingblock 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 thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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 for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit that enwrappeth itself is from Me, and the souls which 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.
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him, I hid Me and was wroth; and he went on frowardly 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 requite with comforts him and 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.
Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith the LORD that createth the fruit of the lips; and I will heal him.
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 dirt.
21 There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
There is no peace, saith my God concerning the wicked.
