Isaiah 57

1The righteous perishes, yet no man takes it to heart; and men of kindness are gathered, none discerning that because of the harm the righteous is gathered.

2He comes to peace; they rest on their beds, whoever walks uprightly.

3But come here, you sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the prostitute.

4Against whom do you mock? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of rebellion, a seed of deceit?

5You who inflame yourselves among the idols under every flourishing tree, who slaughter the children in the ravines under the ledges of the rocks?

6Among the smooth pebbles of the stream is your share; they themselves are your lot—you even poured a libation to them and presented a gift offering. Shall I find comfort in these?

7You placed your bed on a high and lofty mountain; even there you went up to offer sacrifice.

8Behind the door and the doorpost you set your memorial, for you bared yourself apart from me and went up; you widened your bed and cut a covenant for yourself with them; you loved their bed—their hand you beheld.

9You went to the king with oil, multiplied your perfumes, sent your messengers afar, and lowered yourself all the way to Sheol.

10In the abundance of your way you grew weary, yet you did not say, "Despair." You found life in your hand; therefore you did not weaken.

11Whom have you worried about and feared, that you lie and have not remembered me or taken it to heart? Have I not kept silent from of old, and you do not fear me?

12I will make known your righteousness and your deeds; they will not help you.

13When you cry out, let your gatherings deliver you, but the wind will carry them all away; vanity will take them, but whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.

14And he will say, "Raise up, raise up, clear the way; remove the stumbling block from the path of my people."

15For thus says the high and lifted One who dwells eternally, whose name is Holy: I dwell on high and in holiness, with the contrite and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the crushed.

16For I will not contend forever, nor be angry always, for the spirit would faint before me, even the souls I have made.

17For his greedy iniquity I was angry and struck him; I hid myself and was angry, and he went rebelliously in his heart's way.

18I have seen his ways and will heal him; I will guide him and repay consolations to him and his mourners.

19I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to the distant and the near, says Yahweh; and I will heal him.

20But the wicked are like the churning sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters churn up mire and dirt.

21My God declares, "There is no peace for the wicked."