57 The righteous person perishes,

and no one takes it to heart;

the faithful are taken away,

with no one realizing

that the righteous person is taken away

because ofB evil.

2 He will enter into peace—

they will rest on their bedsC—

everyone who lives uprightly.

PAGAN RELIGION DENOUNCED

3 But come here,

you witch’s sons,

offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute!D

4 Who are you mocking?

Who are you opening your mouth

and sticking out your tongue at?

Isn’t it you, you rebellious children,m

you offspring of liars,

5 who burn with lust among the oaks,

under every green tree,n

who slaughter children in the wadis

below the clefts of the rocks?o

6 Your portion is among the smooth stones of the wadi;

indeed, they are your lot.

You have even poured out a drink offering to them;

you have offered a grain offering;

should I be satisfied with these?

7 You have placed your bed

on a high and lofty mountain;a

you also went up there to offer sacrifice.

8 You have set up your memorial

behind the door and doorpost.

For away from me, you stripped,

went up, and made your bed wide,b

and you have made a bargainA for yourself with them.

You have loved their bed;

you have gazed on their genitals.B,C

9 You went to the king with oil

and multiplied your perfumes;

you sent your envoys far awayc

and sent them down even to Sheol.

10 You became weary on your many journeys,

but you did not say, “It’s hopeless!”d

You found a renewal of your strength;D

therefore you did not grow weak.

11 Who was it you dreaded and feared,

so that you lied and didn’t remember me

or take it to heart?

I have kept silent for a long time, haven’t I?E,e

So you do not fear me.

12 I will announce your righteousness,

and your works—they will not profit you.

13 When you cry out,

let your collection of idols rescue you!

The wind will carry all of them off,

a breath will take them away.

But whoever takes refuge in me

will inherit the landf

and possess my holy mountain.g

HEALING AND PEACE

14 He said,

“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,

remove every obstacle from my people’s way.”h

15 For the High and Exalted One,

who lives forever, whose name is holy,i says this:

“I live in a high and holy place,

and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,j

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and revive the heart of the oppressed.k

16 For I will not accuse you forever,

and I will not always be angry;l

for then the spirit would grow weak before me,

even the breath, which I have made.

17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry,m

so I struck him; I was angry and hid;

but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;

I will lead him and restore comfort

to him and his mourners,n

19 creating words of praise.”F,o

The Lord says,

“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near,p

and I will heal him.

20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea,q

for it cannot be still,

and its water churns up mire and muck.

21 There is no peace for the wicked,”

says my God.r