Isaiah 59:9–15

^9–11Which means that we’re a far cry from fair dealing,

and we’re not even close to right living.

We long for light but sink into darkness,

long for brightness but stumble through the night.

Like the blind, we inch along a wall,

groping eyeless in the dark.

We shuffle our way in broad daylight,

like the dead, but somehow walking.

We’re no better off than bears, groaning,

and no worse off than doves, moaning.

We look for justice—not a sign of it;

for salvation—not so much as a hint.

^12–15Our wrongdoings pile up before you, God,

our sins stand up and accuse us.

Our wrongdoings stare us down;

we know in detail what we’ve done:

Mocking and denying God,

not following our God,

Spreading false rumors, inciting sedition,

pregnant with lies, muttering malice.

Justice is beaten back,

Righteousness is banished to the sidelines,

Truth staggers down the street,

Honesty is nowhere to be found,

Good is missing in action.

Anyone renouncing evil is beaten and robbed.

^15–19God looked and saw evil looming on the horizon—

so much evil and no sign of Justice.