Isaiah 57:3-13

Common English Bible

³ Come here, you children of sorcery,
    offspring of adultery and prostitution!
⁴ Whom are you mocking?
    Against whom do you open your mouth wide
    and stick out your tongue?
Aren’t you children of rebellion, offspring of lies,
⁵     who console yourselves with idols under every green tree,
    who slaughter children in the valleys, under the rocky cliffs?
⁶ You belong with the smooth talkers^[a] in the valley;
    they, they are your lot.
For them you poured out a drink offering,
    and presented a grain offering.
    Should I condone these things?
⁷ On a very high mountain you made your bed.
    You went up there to offer a sacrifice.
⁸ Behind the door and the doorpost
    you placed your symbols.
You abandoned me and lay down,
    making room in your bed
    and making deals for yourself with them.^[b]
You loved their bed;
    you saw their nakedness.
⁹ You went down to Molech^[c] with oil,
    and you slathered on your ointments;
    you sent your messengers far away,
    sent them down to the underworld.^[d]
10 Worn out by all your efforts,
    yet you wouldn’t say, “This is useless.”
You found new strength;
    therefore, you weren’t tired.
¹¹ Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied,
    didn’t remember me or give me a thought?
Isn’t it because I was silent and closed my eyes
    that you stopped fearing me?
¹² I will bring evidence about your righteousness and your actions;
    they won’t help you.
¹³ When you cry out,
    let those things you’ve gathered save you!
The wind will lift them all;
    one breath will take them away.
but those taking refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.