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 of57:1 Or taken away from the presence of evil.
2He will enter into peace —
they will rest on their beds57:2 Either their deathbeds or their graves —
everyone who lives uprightly.
Pagan Religion Denounced
3But come here,
you witch’s sons,
offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute!57:3 Lit and she acted as a prostitute
4Who are you mocking?
Who are you opening your mouth
and sticking out your tongue at?
you offspring of liars,
5who burn with lust among the oaks,
who slaughter children in the wadis
below the clefts of the rocks?57:5 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
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,57:8 Ezk 23:17–18
and you have made a bargain57:8 Lit you cut for yourself with them.
You have loved their bed;
you have gazed on their genitals.57:8 Lit hand57:8 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 envoys far away57:9 Ezk 16:26–29
and sent them down even to Sheol.
10You became weary on your many journeys,
You found a renewal of your strength;57:10 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?
I have kept silent for a long time, haven’t I?57:11 LXX reads And I, when I see you, I pass by57:11 Ps 50:21; Is 42:14
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
and possess my holy mountain.57:13 Is 65:9
Healing and Peace
14He said,
“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,
15For the High and Exalted One,
who lives forever, whose name is holy,57:15 Lk 1:49 says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
16For I will not accuse you forever,
for then the spirit would grow weak before me,
even the breath, which I have made.
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,57:18 Is 61:1–3
The Lord says,
and I will heal him.
for it cannot be still,
and its water churns up mire and muck.
21There is no peace for the wicked,”
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