1The righteous die, and no one cares. Devoted people are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away from evil.
2They enter into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks uprightly.
3“But come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
4Whom do you mock? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you rebellious children, offspring of lies,
5you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree; you who sacrifice children in the valleys, under the cracks in the rocks?
6Your share is among the smooth stones of the valley; they are your destiny. You have even poured out a drink offering to them and presented an offering. Should I be satisfied with these things?
7You have made your bed on a high and lofty mountain. You also went up there to offer sacrifices.
8You have put your pagan symbols behind your doors and doorposts; for you have given yourself to someone other than me, and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made an agreement with them. You loved what you saw in their bed.
9You went to the king with olive oil, and increased your perfumes. You sent your messengers far away and debased yourself even to the grave.
10You became tired from your long journeys, yet you never said, ‘It’s pointless.’ You found renewed strength, so you didn’t give up.
11Whom have you dreaded and feared, causing you to lie and forget me, never taking me to heart? Haven't I been silent for a long time, and you don't fear me?
12I will announce your good deeds, but your actions will not help you.
13When you call for help, let the idols you have gathered rescue you; but the wind will carry them all away, a mere breath will take them. However, whoever takes shelter in me will own the land and inherit my holy mountain.
14He will say, "Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the obstacles from the path of my people."
15For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with those who are humble and contrite in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16For I will not argue forever, nor will I always be angry, because then the human spirit and the souls I have made would grow faint before me.
17I was angry because of their greedy sin, and I struck them. I hid myself and was angry, but they continued to backslide in their own stubborn way.
18I have seen their ways, and I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort them and those who mourn with them.
19I bring peace to those far away and to those who are near," says Yahweh, "and I will heal them."
20But the wicked are like the restless sea, for it cannot be still, and its waters stir up mud and dirt.
21"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."