Isaiah chapter 57
English Standard Version
1The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; 2 he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. 3But you, draw near, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the loose woman. 4Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit, 5you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? 6Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a grain offering. Shall I relent for these things? 7 On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice. 8Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your memorial; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness. 9You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol. 10You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, "It is hopeless"; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint. 11 Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me? 12I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you. 13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them all off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. 14And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people 's way." 15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. 17Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. 18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19 creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near," says the Lord, "and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
New International Version
2Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. 3"But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! 4Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars? 5You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. 6The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? 7You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. 8Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. 9You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead!
10You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. 11"Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 12I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. 13When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain."
14And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." 15For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created. 17I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. 18I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, 19creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the Lord. "And I will heal them." 20But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 21"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
New American Standard Bible
1The righteous person perishes, and no one takes it to heart; And devout people are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous person is taken away from evil, 2He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way. 3'But come here, you sons of a sorceress, Offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute! 4Of whom do you make fun? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue? Are you not children of rebellion, Offspring of deceit, 5Who inflame yourselves among the oaks, Under every luxuriant tree, Who slaughter the children in the ravines, Under the clefts of the rocks? 6Among the smooth stones of the ravine Is your portion, they are your lot; Even to them you have poured out a drink offering, You have made a grain offering. Should I relent of these things? 7On a high and lofty mountain You have made your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice. 8Behind the door and the doorpost You have set up your sign; Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself, And have gone up and made your bed wide. And you have made an agreement for yourself with them, You have loved their bed, You have looked at their manhood. 9You have journeyed to the king with oil And increased your perfumes; You have sent your messengers a great distance And made them go down to Sheol. 10You were tired out by the length of your road, Yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless!’ You found renewed strength, Therefore you did not faint. 11'Of whom were you worried and fearful When you lied, and did not remember Me Nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent, even for a long time, So you do not fear Me? 12I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, And they will not benefit you. 13When you cry out, let your collection of idols save you. But the wind will carry them all up, And a breath will take them away. But the one who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land And possess My holy mountain.' 14And it will be said, 'Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle from the way of My people.' 15For this is what the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says: 'I dwell in a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. 16For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would grow faint before Me, And the breath of those whom I have made. 17Because of the wrongful act of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. 18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, 19Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far away and to him who is near,' Says the Lord, 'and I will heal him.' 20But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud. 21'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'
Christian Standard Bible
1The righteous person perishes, and no one takes it to heart; the faithful are taken away, with no one realizing that the righteous person is taken away because of evil. 2He will enter into peace— they will rest on their beds — everyone who lives uprightly. 3But come here, you witch’s sons, offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute! 4Who are you mocking? Who are you opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue at? Isn’t it you, you rebellious children, you offspring of liars, 5who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter children in the wadis below the clefts of the rocks? 6Your portion is among the smooth stones of the wadi; indeed, they are your lot. You have even poured out a drink offering to them; you have offered a grain offering; should I be satisfied with these? 7You have placed your bed on a high and lofty mountain; you also went up there to offer sacrifice. 8You have set up your memorial behind the door and doorpost. For away from me, you stripped, went up, and made your bed wide, and you have made a bargain for yourself with them. You have loved their bed; you have gazed on their genitals. 9You went to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away and sent them down even to Sheol. 10You became weary on your many journeys, but you did not say, "It’s hopeless!" You found a renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak. 11Who was it you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and didn’t remember me or take it to heart? I have kept silent for a long time, haven’t I? So you do not fear me.
12I will announce your righteousness, and your works—they will not profit you. 13When you cry out, let your collection of idols rescue you! The wind will carry all of them off, a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain. 14He said, "Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle from my people’s way." 15For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: "I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed. 16For I will not accuse you forever, and I will not always be angry; for then the spirit would grow weak before me, even the breath, which I have made. 17Because of his sinful greed I was angry, so I struck him; I was angry and hid; but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart. 18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19creating words of praise." The Lord says, "Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him. 20But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck. 21There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.
New Living Translation
1Good 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. 2For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
3'But you — come here, you witches’ children, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! 4Whom do you mock, making faces and sticking out your tongues? You children of sinners and liars! 5You 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. 6Your 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? 7You have committed adultery on every high mountain. There you have worshiped idols and have been unfaithful to me. 8You 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. 9You have gone to Molech with olive oil and many perfumes, sending your agents far and wide, even to the world of the dead. 10You 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? 12Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you. 13Let’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.'
14God says, 'Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.' 15The 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. 16For 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. 17I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. 18I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, 19bringing 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. 21There is no peace for the wicked,' says my God.
King James Version
New King James Version
1The righteous perishes, And no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, While no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil. 2He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness. 3“But come here, You sons of the sorceress, You offspring of the adulterer and the harlot! 4Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth And stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, Offspring of falsehood, 5Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, Slaying the children in the valleys, Under the clefts of the rocks? 6Among the smooth stones of the stream Is your portion; They, they, are your lot! Even to them you have poured a drink offering, You have offered a grain offering. Should I receive comfort in these? 7“On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; Even there you went up To offer sacrifice. 8Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made a covenant with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw their nudity. 9 You went to the king with ointment, And increased your perfumes; You sent your messengers far off, And even descended to Sheol. 10You are wearied in the length of your way; Yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved. 11“And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me? 12I will declare your righteousness And your works, For they will not profit you. 13When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain.” 14And one shall say, “Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.” 15For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made. 17For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. 18I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners. 19“I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” 20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21“ There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked.”