Open English Translation ISA Chapter 57

57 The godly people die but no one takes it to heart.

Those with loyal commitment are removed but no one knows what’s going on

because the godly people are pulled back from facing evil.

2 They go in peace.

They’ve walked on a straightforward path

and now they rest on their beds.

3 But come here you children of a sorceress—

offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.

4 Who are you all making fun of?

Who are you speaking out against and poking your tongues out against?

You’re all children of wickedness—offspring of deception

5 who burn with lust under oak trees—in fact under every green tree.

You all slaughter children in valleys under the clefts in the cliffs.

6 You stand up large, smooth stones from the riverbed

and offer them a portion of your food.

You pour out wine as a drink offering and offer up a grain offering.

Will I relent in taking action about those activities?

7 You slept up high at the hilltop shrines

where you went up to also offer a sacrifice,

8 and you’ve put your symbols behind the door and doorposts.

Yes, away from me you stripped off

and filled your bed with others.

You had an agreement with those whose bed you loved—

enjoying their bodies.

9 You took oil and travelled to the king,

along with lots of perfumes.

Then you sent your ambassadors to distant places,

and even descended to the world of the dead.

10 You were tired from your long journey,

but you didn’t say that it’s all just hopeless.

You found new things to do so then you didn’t become weak.

11 Who very you so afraid of that you lie,

and don’t remember me or think about me?

Haven’t I been silent for a long time now

so it’s not me that you’re afraid of.

12 I’ll talk about your deeds and how you do what’s right

but they won’t benefit you.

13 When you call out for help, let your collection rescue you,

but a wind will carry them all away—

≈ a breath will take them away.

But those who rely on me for safety will inherit the land,

and will take possession of my holy mountain.

14 Then he’ll say:

Pile it up, pile it up, make a track through.

Remove the stumbling blocks from the path for my people.

15 The one who’s high and honoured, who lives forever and whose name is holy, says:

I live in a place that’s holy and up high,

but also with the oppressed person and with the humble person,

→ to restore the spirit of the humble and to encourage those who feel crushed.

16 However, I won’t argue the point forever,

≈ and I won’t remain permanently angry,

because those who stand in front of me would faint—

the creatures that I myself made.

17 I was angry at the wickedness of their dishonest gain and I struck them.

I hid and I was angry, but they decided to go against me.

18 I’ve seen their ways and I’ll heal them,

and I’ll lead them and comfort them and their mourners.

19 I’ll enable them to shout happily,

‘Peace, peace, to those both near and far,’

and I will heal them says Yahweh.

20 But the wicked are like the ocean in a storm,

because it’s unable to stay calm, but rather it stirs up slush and mud.

21 My god says that there’s no peace for those who are wicked.