THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

 

Isaiah Chapter 57

1 ¶ The righteous dies, and no one cares: kind men are swept away, and no one realizes that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

2 He will enter into peace: all who walk in his righteousness will rest in their own bed.

3 ¶ But come here, you sons of a witch, you children of an adulterer who live in sexual sin.

4 Who is it that you are mocking? Against whom are you are opening your mouth, and sticking out your tongue? are you not children of sin, born of a lie,

5 Who burn with lust among the oaks under every green tree, butchering children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks?

6 Your portion is among the smooth stones of the stream; indeed, they are your lot: you have even poured out a drink offering to them, you have offered a meat offering. Should I be indifferent to this?

7 You have made your bed on a high and lofty mountain: yes there you went up and offered sacrifices.

8 You have set up your memorial behind the doors and doorposts: and deserting me, you have gone up and revealed yourself to others; you have enlarged your bed, and made a bargain with them; you have loved their bed and looked on their nakedness.

9 You anointed yourself with oil for Molech, and multiplied your perfumes, and sent your messengers far off, and debased yourself even to hell.

10 Though you grew tired of your many wanderings; you did not say, It is hopeless: you found fresh strength; therefore you were not grieved.

11 Of whom have you been afraid or feared, that you deceived yourself, and have not remembered me, or given me a thought? have I remained silent so long that you were not afraid of me?

12 I will expose your self righteousness, and your works; for they will be of no benefit to you.

13 ¶ When you cry, let your company of idols deliver you; but the wind will blow them all away; a breath will carry them off: but he who puts his trust in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain;

14 And it will be said, Build it up, build it up, prepare a highway, remove the stumbling blocks out of the way of my people.

15 For the high and lofty One who lives forever, and whose name is Holy, says; I live in a high and holy place, with him who has a humble heart and is sorry for sin, to revive the spirit of the humble, and the hearts of those who are contrite.

16 For I will not quarrel forever, nor will I always be angry: for then the spirits, the living souls that I made, would faint before me.

17 ¶ I was angry because of his greed, and struck him in anger: I hid myself, but he continued in his rebellion following his heart.

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him: and give him rest, and will fully comfort him and those of him who mourn.

19 I will comfort with the fruit of my lips; Peace, peace to those far off, and to those near, says the LORD; I will heal him.

20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.

21 There is no peace for the wicked, says my God.