Isaiah 57

Chapter 57

1 Good people pass away;
the godly often die before their time.
But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand
that God is protecting them from the evil to come.2 For those who follow godly paths
will rest in peace when they die.

Idolatrous Worship Condemned

3 “But you—come here, you witches’ children,
you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!4 Whom do you mock,
making faces and sticking out your tongues?
You children of sinners and liars!5 You worship your idols with great passion
beneath the oaks and under every green tree.
You sacrifice your children down in the valleys,
among the jagged rocks in the cliffs.6 Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys.
You worship them with liquid offerings and grain offerings.
They, not I, are your inheritance.
Do you think all this makes me happy?7 You have committed adultery on every high mountain.
There you have worshiped idols
and have been unfaithful to me.8 You have put pagan symbols
on your doorposts and behind your doors.
You have left me
and climbed into bed with these detestable gods.
You have committed yourselves to them.
You love to look at their naked bodies.9 You have given olive oil to Molecht
with many gifts of perfume.
You have traveled far,
even into the world of the dead,t
to find new gods to love.10 You grew weary in your search,
but you never gave up.
Desire gave you renewed strength,
and you did not grow weary.11 “Are you afraid of these idols?
Do they terrify you?
Is that why you have lied to me
and forgotten me and my words?
Is it because of my long silence
that you no longer fear me?12 Now I will expose your so-called good deeds.
None of them will help you.13 Let’s see if your idols can save you
when you cry to them for help.
Why, a puff of wind can knock them down!
If you just breathe on them, they fall over!
But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain.”

God Forgives the Repentant

14 God says, “Rebuild the road!
Clear away the rocks and stones
so my people can return from captivity.”15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.16 For I will not fight against you forever;
I will not always be angry.
If I were, all people would pass away—
all the souls I have made.17 I was angry,
so I punished these greedy people.
I withdrew from them,
but they kept going on their own stubborn way.18 I have seen what they do,
but I will heal them anyway!
I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn,19 bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace, both near and far,”
says the LORD, who heals them.20 “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea,
which is never still
but continually churns up mud and dirt.21 There is no peace for the wicked,”
says my God.

ISAIAH 57

God's Faithful People Suffer

1 God's faithful people
are dragged off and killed,
and no one even cares.
Evil sweeps them away,

2 but in death they find peace
for obeying God.t

The [Lord] Condemns Idolatry

3 You people are unfaithful!
You go to fortunetellers,
and you worship idols.
Now pay close attention!

4 Who are you making fun of?
Who are you sneering at?
Look how your sins
have made fools of you.

5 All you think about is sex
under those green trees
where idols are worshiped.
You sacrifice your children
on altars built in valleys
under rocky slopes.

6 You have chosen to worship
idols made of stone;t
you have given them offerings
of wine and grain.
Should I be pleased?

7 You have spread out your beds
on the tops of high mountains,
where you sacrifice to idols.

8 Even in your homes
you have placed pagan symbols
all around your huge beds.
Yes, you have rejected me,
sold yourselves to your lovers,
and gone to bed with them.t

9 You smear on olive oil
and all kinds of perfume
to worship the god Molech.t
You even seek advice
from spirits of the dead.

10 Though you tired yourself out
by running after idols,
you refused to stop.
Your desires were so strong
that they kept you going.

11 Did you forget about me
and become unfaithful
because you were more afraid
of someone else?
Have I been silent so longt
that you no longer fear me?

12 You think you're so good,
but I'll point out the truth.

13 Ask your idols to save you
when you are in trouble.
Be careful though—
it takes only a faint breath
to blow them over.
But if you come to me
for protection,
this land and my holy mountain
will always belong to you.

The [Lord] Helps the Helpless

14 The [Lord] says,
“Clear the road!
Get it ready for my people.”

15  t Our holy God lives forever
in the highest heavens,
and this is what he says:
Though I live high above
in the holy place,
I am here to help those
who are humble
and depend only on me.

16 My people, I won't stay angry
and keep on accusing you.
After all, I am your Creator.
I don't want you to give up
in complete despair.

17 Your greed made me furious.
That's why I punished you
and refused to be found,
while you kept returning
to your old sinful ways.

18 I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning

19  t start singing my praises.t
No matter where you are,
I, the [Lord], will heal yout
and give you peace.

20 The wicked are a restless sea
tossing up mud.

21  t But I, the [Lord], have promised
that none who are evil
will live in peace.