Isaiah 57:14-21

New Living Translation

¹⁴ God says, “Rebuild the road!
    Clear away the rocks and stones
    so my people can return from captivity.”
¹⁵ The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
    the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
    with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
    and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
¹⁶ For I will not fight against you forever;
    I will not always be angry.
If I were, all people would pass away—
    all the souls I have made.
¹⁷ I was angry,
    so I punished these greedy people.
I withdrew from them,
    but they kept going on their own stubborn way.
¹⁸ I have seen what they do,
    but I will heal them anyway!
    I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn,
¹⁹     bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace, both near and far,”
    says the Lord, who heals them.
²⁰ “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea,
    which is never still
    but continually churns up mud and dirt.
²¹ There is no peace for the wicked,”
    says my God.