Isaiah 57
57
1The righteous one perishes,
and no one takes it to heart;
faithful men are swept away,
with no one realizing
that the righteous one is swept away
from the presence # Or away because of evil.
2He will enter into peace —
they will rest on their beds # Either their deathbeds or their graves —
everyone who lives uprightly.
Pagan Religion Denounced
3But come here,
you sons of a sorceress,
offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute! # Lit and she acted as a prostitute
4Who is it you are mocking?
Who is it you are opening your mouth
and sticking out your tongue at?
Isn’t it you, you rebellious children, # Is 30:1,9
you race of liars,
5who burn with lust among the oaks,
under every green tree, # 2Kg 16:4; Jr 2:20; 3:13
who slaughter children in the wadis
below the clefts of the rocks? # 2Kg 23:10; Ps 106:37-38; Jr 7:31; Ezk 16:20-21
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; # Jr 3:6; Ezk 16:16
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, # Ezk 23:17-18
and you have made a bargain # Lit you cut for yourself with them.
You have loved their bed;
you have gazed on their genitals. # Lit hand # In Hb, the word hand is probably a euphemism for “genitals.”
9You went to the king with oil
and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your couriers far away # Ezk 16:26-29
and sent them down even to Sheol.
10You became weary on your many journeys,
but you did not say, “I give up! ” # Jr 2:25; 18:12
You found a renewal of your strength; # Lit found life of your hand
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?
Have I not kept silent for such a long time # LXX reads And I, when I see you, I pass by # Ps 50:21; Is 42:14
and you do not fear Me?
12I will expose your righteousness,
and your works — they will not profit you.
13When you cry out,
let your collection of idols deliver 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 # Ps 37:3,9; Is 25:4
and possess My holy mountain. # Is 65:9
Healing and Peace
14He said,
“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,
remove every obstacle from My people’s way.” # Is 62:10; Jr 18:15
15For the High and Exalted One
who lives forever, whose name is Holy # Lk 1:49 says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, # Ps 34:18; 51:17; Is 66:2
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed. # Ps 147:3; Is 61:1-3
16For I will not accuse you forever,
and I will not always be angry; # Gn 6:3; Ps 103:9; Jr 3:12
for then the spirit would grow weak before Me,
even the breath of man, which I have made.
17Because of his sinful greed I was angry, # Is 2:7; 56:11; Jr 6:13
so I struck him; I was angry and hid; # Lit him; hiding and I am angry
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, # Is 61:1-3
19creating words of praise.” # Lit creating fruit of the lips # Is 6:7; 51:16; 59:21; Heb 13:15
The Lord says,
“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, # Ac 2:39; Eph 2:17
and I will heal him.
20But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, # Ps 107:29
for it cannot be still,
and its waters churn up mire and muck.
21There is no peace for the wicked,”
says my God. # Is 48:22; 59:8
Currently Selected:
Isaiah 57: HCSB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
