Isaiah 57
1 The righteous person dies, and no one takes it to heart; people of faithful love are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away because of evil.
2 They enter into peace; those who walk the straight path rest on their beds.
3 But you, come here, children of a sorceress, offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute.
4 Who are you mocking? At whom do you open your mouths wide and stick out your tongues? Aren’t you children of rebellion, offspring of deceit?
5 You burn with desire among the gods under every leafy tree, and you slaughter children in the valleys, beneath the clefts of the rocks.
6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion; they are your lot. You have poured out drink offerings to them and presented grain offerings. Should I take comfort in this?
7 On a high and lofty mountain you made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the door and the doorpost you set your memorial. Far from me, you uncovered yourself and went up; you made your bed wide and made a pact with them. You loved their bed and looked on their nakedness.
9 You went to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away and went down to Sheol.
10 You grew weary from your long journey, but you did not say, “There is no hope.” You found strength in your hand, so you did not grow weak.
11 Whom did you dread and fear, that you lied? You did not remember me or take me to heart. Is it because I have kept silent for a long time that you do not fear me?
12 I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry out, let your gathered idols save you! The wind will carry them all away; a breath will sweep them off. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.
14 And it will be said, “Build up, build up the road; prepare the way; remove the obstacle from the way of my people.”
15 For this is what the High and Lofty One says, who lives forever and whose name is Holy: “I live in the high and holy place, and also with the crushed and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and give life to the heart of the crushed.
16 For I will not contend forever, nor will I remain angry without end, because the spirit would faint before me, and the breaths of life that I made.
17 Because of his greedy sin I was angry and struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he kept turning away, following the way of his own heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to those who mourn for him.
19 I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to the one far away and to the one near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.”
20 But the wicked are like a restless sea that cannot be still, whose waters cast up mud and filth.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
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