Isaiah 57
57:1
The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, no one considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil.
57:2
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.
57:3
“But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute.
57:4
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood,
57:5
you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
57:6
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot; you have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things?
57:7
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice.
57:8
Behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered to someone besides me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it.
57:9
You went to the king with oil, and increased your perfumes, and sent your ambassadors far off, and debased yourself even to Sheol.
57:10
You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren’t faint.
57:11
“Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace even of long time, and you don’t fear me?
57:12
I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you.
57:13
When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.”
57:14
He will say, “Cast up, cast up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”
57:15
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
57:16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made.
57:17
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I angry, and struck him; I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
57:19
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
57:20
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
57:21
“There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”