14 And it will be said,
(A)Build up, build up, prepare the way,
Remove every obstacle from the way of My people.”
15 For this is what the (B)high and exalted One
Who [a](C)lives forever, whose name is Holy, says:
“I (D)dwell in a high and holy place,
And also with the (E)contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to (F)revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will (G)not contend forever,
(H)Nor will I always be angry;
For the spirit would grow faint before Me,
And the (I)breath of those whom I have made.
17 Because of the wrongful act of his (J)unjust gain I was angry and struck him;
I hid My face and was angry,
And he went on (K)turning away, in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will (L)heal him;
I will (M)lead him and (N)restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19 Creating the [b](O)praise of the lips.
(P)Peace, peace to him who is (Q)far away and to him who is near,”
Says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”
20 But the (R)wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
21 (S)There is no peace,” says (T)my God, “for the wicked.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 57:15 Or dwells in eternity
  2. Isaiah 57:19 Lit fruit of the lips

Comfort for the Contrite

14 And it shall be said,
(A)“Build up, build up, prepare the way,
    remove every obstruction from my people's way.”
15 For thus says (B)the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is (C)Holy:
(D)“I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also (E)with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
(F)to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 (G)For I will not contend forever,
    nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me,
    and the breath of life that I made.
17 Because of the iniquity of his (H)unjust gain I was angry,
    I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,
    but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.
18 I have seen his ways, (I)but I will heal him;
    I will lead him (J)and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
19     (K)creating (L)the fruit of the lips.
(M)Peace, peace, (N)to the far and to the near,” says the Lord,
    (O)“and I will heal him.
20 (P)But the wicked are like the tossing sea;
    for it cannot be quiet,
    and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
21 (Q)There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

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