Isaiah 57 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

The one who does right disappears, and no one takes it to heart. The faithful are swept away, and no one understands — the one who does right is taken away from the evil to come.

They enter into peace; they rest on their beds — each one who walked the straight path.

But you — come closer, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of the adulterer and the prostitute.

Who are you mocking? At whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Aren't you children of rebellion, offspring of deception?

You who burn with lust among the oak trees, under every green, spreading tree — who slaughter your children in the ravines, under the overhanging cliffs.

Among the smooth stones of the riverbed — that's your portion, they are your lot. To them you've poured out drink offerings, you've brought grain offerings. Should I just let this go?

On a high and towering mountain you've set up your bed. Up there you went to offer your sacrifices.

Behind your doors and doorposts you've set up your pagan symbols. You stripped down and climbed into bed — far from me — you opened it wide and made a deal with them. You loved their bed, you stared at their nakedness.

You went to Molek with olive oil, loaded up on perfume. You sent your messengers far away, all the way down to the grave itself.

You wore yourself out with all your running around, but you never said, "This is pointless." You found just enough energy to keep going, so you never gave up.

Who were you so afraid of? Who made you lie? You didn't remember me. You didn't even give me a thought. Isn't it because I've been silent so long that you don't even fear me anymore?

I will expose what you call 'right' — and all your busy efforts. They won't help you one bit.

When you cry for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry them all away, a single breath will blow them off. But whoever takes shelter in me will inherit the land and possess my set-apart mountain.

And it will be said: "Build up, build up! Clear the road! Remove every obstacle from my people's path."

Because this is what the high and exalted One says — the One who lives forever, whose name is set apart: "I live in the high and set-apart place, but also with the one who is crushed and lowly in spirit — to revive the spirit of the lowly, to revive the heart of the crushed."

I will not accuse forever, and I will not be angry without end — because the spirit would grow faint before me, the very breath of life that I created.

I was angry because of their corrupt greed. I struck them, I hid my face in fury. But they kept going — stubbornly following their own heart's path.

I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them and give back comfort — to them and to those who grieve with them.

I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to the far and to the near," says Yahweh. "And I will heal them."

But the wicked are like a churning sea that cannot rest, whose waves toss up mud and filth.

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."