Isaiah 57:14-21

GOD’S WORD Translation

¹⁴It will be said:
“Build a road! Build a road!
Prepare the way!
Remove every obstacle in the way of my people!”

¹⁵The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy.

This is what he says:

I live in a high and holy place.
But I am with those who are crushed and humble.
I will renew the spirit of those who are humble
and the courage of those who are crushed.
¹⁶I will not accuse you forever.
I will not be angry with you forever.
Otherwise, the spirits, the lives of those I’ve made,
would grow faint in my presence.
¹⁷I was angry because of their sinful greed,
so I punished them, hid ⌞from them⌟, and remained angry.
But they continued to be sinful.
¹⁸I’ve seen their ⌞sinful⌟ ways, but I’ll heal them.
I’ll guide them and give them rest.
I’ll comfort them and their mourners.
¹⁹I’ll create praise on their lips:
“Perfect peace to those both far and near.”
“I’ll heal them,” says the Lord.
²⁰But the wicked are like the churning sea.
It isn’t quiet,
and its water throws up mud and slime.