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.
Good people die, and nobody cares; the faithful pass away, and nobody thinks that they were being protected from evil.
2 Veniat pax, requiescat in cubili suo qui ambulavit in directione sua.
Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
3 Vos autem accedite huc filii auguratricis: semen adulteri, et fornicariae.
But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
4 Super quem lusistis? super quem dilatastis os, et eiecistis linguam? numquid non vos filii scelesti, semen mendax?
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 qui consolamini in diis subter omne lignum frondosum, immolantes parvulos in torrentibus, subter eminentes petras?
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 In partibus torrentis pars tua, haec est sors tua: et ipsis effudisti libamen, obtulisti sacrificium. numquid super his non indignabor?
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 Super montem excelsum et sublimem posuisti cubile tuum, et illuc ascendisti ut immolares hostias.
You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan 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.
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 Et ornasti te regio unguento, et multiplicasti pigmenta tua. Misisti legatos tuos procul, et humiliata es usque ad inferos. (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 In multitudine viae tuae laborasti: non dixisti: Quiescam: vitam manus tuae invenisti, propterea non rogasti.
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 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.
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 Ego annunciabo iustitiam tuam, et opera tua non proderunt tibi.
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 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 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 Et dicam: Viam facite, praebete iter, declinate de semita, auferte offendicula de via populi mei.
He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in 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.
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 Non enim in sempiternum litigabo, neque usque ad finem irascar: quia spiritus a facie mea egredietur, et flatus ego faciam.
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 Propter iniquitatem avaritiae eius iratus sum, et percussi eum: abscondi a te faciem meam, et indignatus sum: et abiit vagus in via cordis sui.
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 Vias eius vidi, et sanavi eum, et reduxi eum, et reddidi consolationes ipsi, et lugentibus eius.
I know what they're doing, but I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort those who mourn,
19 Creavi fructum labiorum pacem, pacem ei, qui longe est, et qui prope, dixit Dominus, et sanavi eum.
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 Impii autem quasi mare fervens, quod quiescere non potest, et redundant fluctus eius in conculcationem et lutum.
But the wicked are like the sea that is tossed about, never keeping still, churning up the mud and muck with its waves.
21 Non est pax impiis, dicit Dominus Deus.
There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
