“But come here, you sons of a (A)sorceress,
(B)Offspring of an adulterer and [a]a (C)prostitute!
Of whom do you make fun?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of (D)rebellion,
Offspring of deceit,
Who inflame yourselves among the (E)oaks,
(F)Under every luxuriant tree,
Who (G)slaughter the children in the [b]ravines,
Under the clefts of the rocks?
Among the [c](H)smooth stones of the [d]ravine
Is your portion, [e]they are your lot;
Even to them you have (I)poured out a drink offering,
You have made a grain offering.
Should I [f](J)relent of these things?
On a (K)high and lofty mountain
You have (L)made your bed.
You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
Behind the door and the doorpost
You have set up your sign;
Indeed, far removed from Me, you have (M)uncovered yourself,
And have gone up and made your bed wide.
And you have made an agreement for yourself with them,
You have loved their bed,
You have looked at their [g]manhood.
You have journeyed to the king with oil
And increased your perfumes;
You have (N)sent your messengers a great distance
And made them go down to [h]Sheol.
10 You were tired out by the length of your road,
Yet you did not say, ‘(O)It is hopeless!’
You found [i]renewed strength,
Therefore you did not [j]faint.

11 “Of (P)whom were you worried and fearful
When you lied, and did (Q)not remember Me
[k]Nor (R)give Me a thought?
Was I not silent, even for a long time,
So you do not fear Me?
12 I will (S)declare your righteousness and your (T)deeds,
And they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry out, (U)let your collection of idols save you.
But the wind will carry them all up,
And a breath will take them away.
But the one who (V)takes refuge in Me will (W)inherit the land
And (X)possess My holy mountain.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 57:3 As in ancient versions; MT she prostitutes herself
  2. Isaiah 57:5 Or wadis
  3. Isaiah 57:6 I.e., symbols of fertility gods
  4. Isaiah 57:6 Or wadi
  5. Isaiah 57:6 Lit they, they
  6. Isaiah 57:6 Or repent
  7. Isaiah 57:8 Lit hand
  8. Isaiah 57:9 I.e., the netherworld
  9. Isaiah 57:10 Lit the life of your hand
  10. Isaiah 57:10 Or become sick
  11. Isaiah 57:11 Lit You did not set it upon your heart

“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress,(A)
    you offspring of adulterers(B) and prostitutes!(C)
Who are you mocking?
    At whom do you sneer
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,(D)
    the offspring of liars?
You burn with lust among the oaks(E)
    and under every spreading tree;(F)
you sacrifice your children(G) in the ravines
    and under the overhanging crags.
The idols(H) among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion;
    indeed, they are your lot.
Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings(I)
    and offered grain offerings.
    In view of all this, should I relent?(J)
You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill;(K)
    there you went up to offer your sacrifices.(L)
Behind your doors and your doorposts
    you have put your pagan symbols.
Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed,
    you climbed into it and opened it wide;
you made a pact with those whose beds you love,(M)
    and you looked with lust on their naked bodies.(N)
You went to Molek[a](O) with olive oil
    and increased your perfumes.(P)
You sent your ambassadors[b](Q) far away;
    you descended to the very realm of the dead!(R)
10 You wearied(S) yourself by such going about,
    but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’(T)
You found renewal of your strength,(U)
    and so you did not faint.

11 “Whom have you so dreaded and feared(V)
    that you have not been true to me,
and have neither remembered(W) me
    nor taken this to heart?(X)
Is it not because I have long been silent(Y)
    that you do not fear me?
12 I will expose your righteousness and your works,(Z)
    and they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry out(AA) for help,
    let your collection of idols save(AB) you!
The wind will carry all of them off,
    a mere breath will blow(AC) them away.
But whoever takes refuge(AD) in me
    will inherit the land(AE)
    and possess my holy mountain.”(AF)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 57:9 Or to the king
  2. Isaiah 57:9 Or idols