Isaiah 57

The Righteous Perish, but No One Cares

1 The righteous die, and nobody pays attention. Godly people are taken away, and no one understands. They are taken to be spared from evil.

2 Those who live right enter into peace; they rest in their beds, safe from the trouble around them.

Judgment on the Wicked

3 But you, come here, you children of a sorceress, offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.

4 Who are you mocking, who are you making fun of, who are you sticking your tongue out at, are you not the children of rebellion, the offspring of lies,

5 You burn with lust among the oak trees, under every green tree. You slaughter your children in the valleys and under the cliffs.

6 The smooth stones of the valley are your gods. You pour out drink offerings to them and bring grain offerings. Should I be happy with that,

7 You set your bed on a high mountain. And that is where you go to offer your sacrifices.

8 Behind your doors and doorposts you set up your idols. You left Me and went to them. You climbed into their beds, made deals with them, and loved their nakedness.

9 You went to Molech with oil and perfume. You sent your messengers far away, even down to the realm of the dead.

10 You wore yourself out chasing your desires, but you never said, “I am tired.” You kept going, so desperate you would not quit.

11 Who were you afraid of that made you lie and forget Me, was it not Me who kept silent for a long time. And you stopped fearing Me,

God Exposes Their False Strength

12 I will expose your fake righteousness and your worthless works. They will not help you.

13 When you cry out, your idols will not save you. A breath of wind will carry them off. But whoever trusts in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.

Comfort for the Contrite

14 It will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles from the path of My people.”

15 For this is what the High and Exalted One says. The One who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is crushed and humble, to revive their spirit and their heart.”

16 “I will not fight forever, and I will not stay angry constantly, or the spirits I made would faint before Me.”

17 I was angry because of their sinful greed, so I struck them and hid My face. They kept turning away in their stubbornness.

18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them and comfort them and those who mourn with them.

19 I will create praise on their lips: “Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the Lord. “and I will heal them.”

No Peace for the Wicked

20 But the wicked are like the restless sea. Always churning up mud and dirt.

21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”