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 man perisheth, and no one layeth it to heart; And pious men are taken away, and none considereth That because of the evil the righteous man is taken away.
2 Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
He entereth into peace; He resteth in his bed, Every one that walketh in 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, Ye brood 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?
Of whom do ye make your sport, And at whom do ye make wide the mouth, And draw out the tongue? Are ye not rebellious children, a treacherous brood?
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.
Burning with lust for idols Under every green tree, Slaying 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?
With the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; These, these are thy lot; Here thou pourest out thy drink-offering, And presentest thy meat-offering; Can I see such things, and be at rest?
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 settest thou thy bed; Thither dost thou go 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.
Behind the doors and the posts dost thou place thy memorial; Thou departest from me, and uncoverest, and ascendest, and enlargest thy bed. Thou makest an agreement with them; Thou desirest their bed; Thou choosest a place.
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)
Thou goest to the king with oil, And takest much precious perfume; Thou sendest thine ambassadors afar, Yea, down to the under-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.
In the length of thy journeys thou hast wearied thyself, But thou sayest not, “I will desist”; Thou yet findest life in thy hand, Therefore thou art not discouraged.
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?
On account of whom art thou anxious, and of whom art thou afraid, that thou hast proved false, And hast not remembered me, nor laid it to heart? Behold, I have been silent a 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!
But now I announce thy deliverance, And thy works do 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 thy host of idols deliver thee! But the wind shall bear them all away; A breath shall take them off; But he that putteth his trust 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.
Men shall say, Cast up, cast up, prepare the road; Remove every obstruction from 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 forever, Nor will I be always angry; For life would fail before me, And the souls which I created.
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 guilt of his covetousness I was angry; I smote him, I hid myself, and was angry; But yet he went on perversely 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, yet will I heal him; I will guide him, and I will restore comfort 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 that is far off, and to him that is nigh, Saith Jehovah; 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 is like the troubled sea, Which cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
There is no peace, saith my God, for the wicked.
