Old Testament · Prophets

Isaiah chapter 57

disappears, and no one takes it to heart. The are swept away, and no one understands— the one who does right is taken away from the evil to come.They enter into ; they rest on their beds— each one who walked the straight path.But you — come closer, you children of a , you offspring of the 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 , offspring of deception?You who among the oak trees, under every green, spreading tree — who in the ravines, under the overhanging cliffs.Among the of the riverbed — that’s your portion, they are your lot. To them you’ve poured out , you’ve brought grain offerings. Should I just let this go?On a high and towering mountain you’ve . Up there you went to offer your sacrifices.Behind your doors and doorposts you’ve set up your . You stripped down and climbed into bed — far from me — you opened it wide and with them. You loved their bed, you stared at their nakedness.You went to with olive oil, loaded up on perfume. You sent your messengers far away, all the way down to 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 me anymore?I will expose — 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 in me will inherit the land and take possession of .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 lifted-up One says, the One who lives forever, : “I live in the high place that belongs to me, and also with the one who is and low in spirit, to bring the lowly back to life, to bring the crushed heart back to life.”I will not accuse forever, and I will not be angry without end — because the spirit would grow faint before me, the very that I created.I was angry because of their . 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 them. I will guide them and give back — to them and to those who grieve with them.I create the fruit of the lips: to the far and to the near,” says . “And I will heal them.”But the are like a churning sea that cannot rest, whose waves toss up mud and filth.“There is no ,” says my God, “for the .”