57TH CHAPTER

1  Righteous people die, 

and no one cares. 

Loyal people are taken away, 

and no one understands. 

Righteous people are spared when evil comes. 

2  When peace comes, 

everyone who has lived honestly will rest on his own bed. 

Israel’s Idolatry

3  But you—come here, 

you children of witches, 

you descendants of adulterers and prostitutes! 

4  Whom are you making fun of? 

Whom are you making a face at? 

Whom are you sticking out your tongue at? 

Aren’t you rebellious children, 

descendants of liars? 

5  You burn with lust under oak trees 

and under every large tree. 

You slaughter children in the valleys 

and under the cracks in the rocks. 

6  Your idols are among the smooth stones in the ravine. 

They are your destiny. 

You have given them wine offerings 

and sacrificed grain offerings to them. 

Do you think I am pleased with all this? 

7  You’ve made your bed on a high and lofty mountain. 

You’ve gone to offer sacrifices there. 

8  You’ve set up your idols beside doors and doorposts. 

You’ve uncovered yourself to the idols. 

You’ve distanced yourself from me. 

You’ve made your bed with them. 

You’ve made a deal with those you have pleasure with in bed. 

You’ve seen them naked. 

9  You’ve journeyed to the king with perfumed oils 

and put on plenty of perfume. 

You’ve sent your ambassadors far away 

and sent them down to Sheol. 

10  You’ve tired yourself out with many journeys. 

You didn’t think that it was hopeless. 

You’ve found renewed strength, 

so you didn’t faint. 

11  Whom did you dread and fear so much that you lied to me? 

You haven’t remembered me or cared about me. 

I’ve been silent for a long time. 

Is that why you don’t fear me? 

12  I’ll tell you about your righteous ways and what you have done, 

but they won’t help you. 

13  When you cry for help, 

let your collection of idols save you. 

A wind will carry them all away. 

A breath will take them away. 

But whoever trusts me will possess the land 

and inherit my holy mountain. 

14  It will be said: 

“Build a road! Build a road! 

Prepare the way! 

Remove every obstacle in the way of my people!” 

15  The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy. 

This is what he says: 

I live in a high and holy place. 

But I am with those who are crushed and humble. 

I will renew the spirit of those who are humble 

and the courage of those who are crushed. 

16  I will not accuse you forever. 

I will not be angry with you forever. 

Otherwise, the spirits, the lives of those I’ve made, 

would grow faint in my presence. 

17  I was angry because of their sinful greed, 

so I punished them, hid ⸤from them⸥, and remained angry. 

But they continued to be sinful. 

18  I’ve seen their ⸤sinful⸥ ways, but I’ll heal them. 

I’ll guide them and give them rest. 

I’ll comfort them and their mourners. 

19  I’ll create praise on their lips: 

“Perfect peace to those both far and near.” 

“I’ll heal them,” says the Lord. 

20  But the wicked are like the churning sea. 

It isn’t quiet, 

and its water throws up mud and slime. 

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