Isaiah 57
The Blessed Death of the Righteous
The righteous will perish, the godly will die,
but no one's concerned and there's none asking why;
devout men are taken yet none understand
that God chose to save them from evil at hand.
but no one's concerned and there's none asking why;
devout men are taken yet none understand
that God chose to save them from evil at hand.
For those who walk justly will find peace in death;
and rest in their bed as they breathe their last breath.
and rest in their bed as they breathe their last breath.
God Condemns Idolatry
But you — now, draw near, sons the sorceress bore,
you, seed of adulterer and of the whore!
At whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer?
You stick out your tongue, but at whom do you jeer?
Are you not the children transgression has birthed;
the offspring of lies that deceit has unearthed?
Enflaming your lust for the idols you love,
cavorting beneath groves of oak trees above;
you slaughter your children in valleys near streams,
the cliffs, high above, amplifying their screams.
Smooth stones in the valleys are idols you've sought;
these gods are your portion. Indeed, they're your lot.
You offer them your wine and grain offerings.
Shall I be appeased and relent for these things?
you, seed of adulterer and of the whore!
At whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer?
You stick out your tongue, but at whom do you jeer?
Are you not the children transgression has birthed;
the offspring of lies that deceit has unearthed?
Enflaming your lust for the idols you love,
cavorting beneath groves of oak trees above;
you slaughter your children in valleys near streams,
the cliffs, high above, amplifying their screams.
Smooth stones in the valleys are idols you've sought;
these gods are your portion. Indeed, they're your lot.
You offer them your wine and grain offerings.
Shall I be appeased and relent for these things?
Now you've made your bed on a high, lofty hill;
and there you go up for your sacrificed kill.
Your pagan designs have been hidden behind
your doors and your doorposts for no one to find.
Forsaken, you've left me and climbed in your bed
to share with the idols you've chosen, instead.
You've made an agreement with them at your side,
and gazed at their nakedness with your eyes wide.
You've journeyed to Molech with many perfumes;
you've sent envoys far, even to Sheol's tombs.
You've wearied yourself but you did not lose hope,
but gathered your strength and was able to cope.
and there you go up for your sacrificed kill.
Your pagan designs have been hidden behind
your doors and your doorposts for no one to find.
Forsaken, you've left me and climbed in your bed
to share with the idols you've chosen, instead.
You've made an agreement with them at your side,
and gazed at their nakedness with your eyes wide.
You've journeyed to Molech with many perfumes;
you've sent envoys far, even to Sheol's tombs.
You've wearied yourself but you did not lose hope,
but gathered your strength and was able to cope.
Have any of these gods put fear into you?
Is that why you lied and have not remained true?
Is it because of my long silence before,
now as a result, I'm not feared anymore?
But I'll expose your works and deeds that you do,
for they will now no longer benefit you.
Let's see if your idols will come when you pray;
for wind, a mere breath, could just blow them away.
But he who trusts me will inherit this land,
and My holy mountain that ever will stand.
Is that why you lied and have not remained true?
Is it because of my long silence before,
now as a result, I'm not feared anymore?
But I'll expose your works and deeds that you do,
for they will now no longer benefit you.
Let's see if your idols will come when you pray;
for wind, a mere breath, could just blow them away.
But he who trusts me will inherit this land,
and My holy mountain that ever will stand.
Healing for the Repentant
And it will be said,
Isaiah 57:14a • BSB
Build up! Now build up! Clear away rock and stone,
prepare the way for the return of my own.
prepare the way for the return of my own.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
Isaiah 57:15a • BSB
I dwell in a holy place in heaven's height,
along with the humbled, the crushed and contrite;
those broken in spirit, I'll wholly revive,
restoring the heart of the low so they'll thrive.
For I will not, with them, forever contend,
and one day my anger is going to end;
for if I would, men would then faint before me —
the very breath I gave them ceasing to be.
along with the humbled, the crushed and contrite;
those broken in spirit, I'll wholly revive,
restoring the heart of the low so they'll thrive.
For I will not, with them, forever contend,
and one day my anger is going to end;
for if I would, men would then faint before me —
the very breath I gave them ceasing to be.
Because of their sin and their unending greed,
in anger, I punished these people, indeed.
I struck them in rage and then hid, out of view,
and they went wherever their hearts led them to.
I've noticed his evil, yet heal him — I will,
I'll give rest to him and those mourning him still,
their lips bringing praise and thanksgiving you hear.
Peace, peace to those far, and to those who are near,
in anger, I punished these people, indeed.
I struck them in rage and then hid, out of view,
and they went wherever their hearts led them to.
I've noticed his evil, yet heal him — I will,
I'll give rest to him and those mourning him still,
their lips bringing praise and thanksgiving you hear.
Peace, peace to those far, and to those who are near,
says the LORD, and I will heal them.
Isaiah 57:19b • BSB
The wicked are like a great storm-enraged sea,
whose waves churn up muck and is wild as can be.
whose waves churn up muck and is wild as can be.
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
Isaiah 57:21 • BSB
BSB: Berean Standard Bible
|
|
|
|
|