1 Evil Leaders Rebuked The righteous man perishes, and no man puts it upon his heart;And men of lovingkindness are gathered away, while no one understands.For the righteous man is gathered away from evil,
2 He enters into peace;They rest in their 57:2Graves beds,Each onewho walked in his upright way.
3 “But draw near, you sons of a soothsayer,Seed of an adulterer and 57:3As in ancient versions; Heb she prostitutes herself a prostitute.
4 “Against whom do you jest?Against whom do you open wide your mouthAnd stick out your tongue?Are you not children of transgression,Seed of lying,
5 Whoinflame yourselves among the 57:5Or terebinths oaks,Under every green tree,Who slaughter the children in the 57:5Or wadis ravines,Under the clefts of the cliffs?
6 “Among the 57:6Symbols of fertility gods smoothstonesof the 57:6Or wadi ravineIs your portion, 57:6Lit they, they they are your lot;Even to them you have poured out a drink offering;You have made a grain offering.Shall I 57:6Or regret, be comforted; cf.40:1 relent concerning these things?
7 “Upon a mountain lofty and lifted upYou have made your bed.You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
8 “Behind the door and the doorpostYou have set up your memorial;Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself,And have gone up and made your bed wide,And you have cuta covenantfor yourself with them;You have loved their 57:8Or lying down bed;You have looked ontheir 57:8Lit hand manhood.
9 “You have journeyed to the king with oilAnd increased your perfumes;You have sent your envoys a great distanceAnd madethemgo down to Sheol.
10 “You were tired out by the length of your road,Yetyou did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’You found 57:10Lit the life of your hand renewed strength;Therefore you did not 57:10Or become sick faint.
11 ¶“Of whom were you anxious and fearfulWhen you lied and did not remember Me,NorevenputMeupon your heart?Was I not silent even for a long timeSo you do not fear Me?
12 “I will declare your righteousness and your deeds,But they will not profit you.
13 “When you cry out, let your collectionof idolsdeliver you.But the wind will lift all of them up,Anda breath will takethem away.But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the landAnd will possess My holy mountain.”Yahweh Revives the Spirit of the Lowly
14 ¶And it will be said,“Build up, build up, prepare the way, 57:14Lit Make high, cf.57:15; 6:1 Removeeverystumbling block out of the way of My people.”
15 For thus says the One high and lifted upWho dwells forever, whose name is Holy,“I dwellona high and holy place,Andalsowith the crushed and lowly of spiritIn order to revive the spirit of the lowlyAnd to revive the heart of the crushed.
16 “For I will not contend forever,Nor will I always be angry;For the spirit would grow faint before Me,And the breathof those whomI have made.
17 “Because of the iniquity of his greedy gain I was angry and struck him;I hidMy faceand was angry,And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart.
18 “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;I will lead him and pay him and his mourners in fullwithcomfort,
19 Creating the 57:19Lit fruit of the lips praise of the lips.Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,”Says Yahweh, “and I will heal him.”
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,For it cannot be quiet,And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”