Isaiah 59:1–8

Evil and Oppression

59Behold, ^bthe Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,

or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

^2cbut your iniquities have made a separation

between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you

so that he does not hear.

^3dFor your hands are defiled with blood

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies;

your tongue mutters wickedness.

^4eNo one enters suit justly;

no one goes to law honestly;

they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,

^fthey conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

⁵They hatch adders’ eggs;

they weave the spider’s web;

he who eats their eggs dies,

and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched.

^6gTheir webs will not serve as clothing;

men will not cover themselves with what they make.

Their works are works of iniquity,

and deeds of violence are in their hands.

^7hTheir feet run to evil,

and they are swift to shed innocent blood;

their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;

desolation and destruction are in their highways.

⁸The way of peace they do not know,

and there is no justice in their paths;

they have made their roads crooked;

ⁱno one who treads on them knows peace.