The infidelity of the Jews: their idolatry. Promises to humble
penitents.
57:1. The just perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and men of
mercy are taken away, because there is none that understandeth; for the
just man is taken away from before the face of evil.
57:2. Let peace come, let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his
uprightness.
57:3. But draw near hither, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the
adulterer, and of the harlot.
57:4. Upon whom have you jested? upon whom have you opened your mouth
wide, and put out your tongue? are not you wicked children, a false
seed,
57:5. Who seek your comfort in idols under every green tree,
sacrificing children in the torrents, under the high rocks?
57:6. In the parts of the torrent is thy portion, this is thy lot: and
thou hast poured out libations to them, thou hast offered sacrifice.
Shall I not be angry at these things?
57:7. Upon a high and lofty mountain thou hast laid thy bed, and hast
gone up thither to offer victims.
57:8. And behind the door, and behind the post thou hast set up thy
remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself near me, and hast
received an adulterer: thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made a covenant
with them: thou hast loved their bed with open hand.
57:9. And thou hast adorned thyself for the king with ointment, and
hast multiplied thy perfumes. Thou hast sent thy messengers far off,
and wast debased even to hell.
57:10. Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy ways: yet thou
saidst not: I will rest: thou has found life of thy hand, therefore
thou hast not asked.
57:11. For whom hast thou been solicitous and afraid, that thou hast
lied, and hast not been mindful of me, nor thought on me in thy heart?
for I am silent, and as one that seeth not, and thou hast forgotten me.
57:12. I will declare thy justice, and thy works shall not profit thee.
57:13. When thou shalt cry, let thy companies deliver thee, but the
wind shall carry them all off, a breeze shall take them away, but he
that putteth his trust in me, shall inherit the land, and shall possess
my holy mount.
57:14. And I will say: Make a way: give free passage, turn out of the
path, take away the stumblingblocks out of the way of my people.
57:15. For thus saith the High and the Eminent that inhabiteth
eternity: and his name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and holy
place, and with a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
57:16. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be angry unto
the end: because the spirit shall go forth from my face, and breathings
I will make.
57:17. For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry, and I struck
him: I hid my face from thee, and was angry: and he went away wandering
in his own heart.
57:18. I saw his ways, and I healed him, and brought him back, and
restored comforts to him, and to them that mourn for him.
57:19. I created the fruit of the lips, peace, peace to him that is far
off, and to him that is near, said the Lord, and I healed him.
57:20. But the wicked are like the raging sea, which cannot rest, and
the waves thereof cast up dirt and mire.
57:21. There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord God.