Isaiæ 57
1 Iustus perit, et non est qui recogitet in corde suo: et viri misericordiae colliguntur, quia non est qui intelligat, a facie enim malitiae collectus est iustus.
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.
2 Veniat pax, requiescat in cubili suo qui ambulavit in directione sua.
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.
3 Vos autem accedite huc filii auguratricis: semen adulteri, et fornicariae.
“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
4 Super quem lusistis? super quem dilatastis os, et eiecistis linguam? numquid non vos filii scelesti, semen mendax?
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you snarl and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,
5 qui consolamini in diis subter omne lignum frondosum, immolantes parvulos in torrentibus, subter eminentes petras?
who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6 In partibus torrentis pars tua, haec est sors tua: et ipsis effudisti libamen, obtulisti sacrificium. numquid super his non indignabor?
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?
7 Super montem excelsum et sublimem posuisti cubile tuum, et illuc ascendisti ut immolares hostias.
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
8 Et post ostium, et retro postem posuisti memoriale tuum: quia iuxta me discooperuisti, et suscepisti adulterum: dilatasti cubile tuum, et pepigisti cum eis foedus: dilexisti stratum eorum manu aperta.
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.
9 Et ornasti te regio unguento, et multiplicasti pigmenta tua. Misisti legatos tuos procul, et humiliata es usque ad inferos. (Sheol h7585)
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)
10 In multitudine viae tuae laborasti: non dixisti: Quiescam: vitam manus tuae invenisti, propterea non rogasti.
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.
11 Pro quo solicita timuisti, quia mentita es, et mei non es recordata, neque cogitasti in corde tuo? quia ego tacens, et quasi non videns, et mei oblita es.
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?
12 Ego annunciabo iustitiam tuam, et opera tua non proderunt tibi.
I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.
13 Cum clamaveris, liberent te congregati tui, et omnes eos auferet ventus, tollet aura: Qui autem fiduciam habet mei, hereditabit terram, et possidebit montem sanctum meum.
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.”
14 Et dicam: Viam facite, praebete iter, declinate de semita, auferte offendicula de via populi mei.
And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
15 Quia haec dicit Excelsus, et sublimis habitans aeternitatem: et sanctum nomen eius in excelso et in sancto habitans, et cum contrito et humili spiritu: ut vivificet spiritum humilium, et vivificet cor contritorum.
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.
16 Non enim in sempiternum litigabo, neque usque ad finem irascar: quia spiritus a facie mea egredietur, et flatus ego faciam.
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.
17 Propter iniquitatem avaritiae eius iratus sum, et percussi eum: abscondi a te faciem meam, et indignatus sum: et abiit vagus in via cordis sui.
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.
18 Vias eius vidi, et sanavi eum, et reduxi eum, et reddidi consolationes ipsi, et lugentibus eius.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
19 Creavi fructum labiorum pacem, pacem ei, qui longe est, et qui prope, dixit Dominus, et sanavi eum.
bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
20 Impii autem quasi mare fervens, quod quiescere non potest, et redundant fluctus eius in conculcationem et lutum.
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.
21 Non est pax impiis, dicit Dominus Deus.
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
