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“But draw near, you sons of a (A)soothsayer,
(B)Seed of an adulterer and [a]a (C)prostitute.
Against whom do you jest?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of (D)transgression,
Seed of lying,
Who inflame yourselves among the [b](E)oaks,
(F)Under every green tree,
Who (G)slaughter the children in the [c]ravines,
Under the clefts of the cliffs?
Among the [d](H)smooth stones of the [e]ravine
Is your portion, [f]they are your lot;
Even to them you have (I)poured out a drink offering;
You have made a grain offering.
Shall I [g](J)relent concerning these things?
Upon a mountain (K)lofty and lifted up
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 memorial;
Indeed, far removed from Me, you have (M)uncovered yourself,
And have gone up and made your bed wide,
And you have cut a covenant for yourself with them;
You have loved their [h]bed;
You have looked on their [i]manhood.
You have journeyed to the king with oil
And increased your perfumes;
You have (N)sent your envoys a great distance
And made them go down to Sheol.
10 You were tired out by the length of your road,
Yet you did not say, ‘(O)It is hopeless.’
You found [j]renewed strength;
Therefore you did not [k]faint.

11 “Of (P)whom were you anxious and fearful
When you lied and did (Q)not remember Me,
Nor even (R)put Me upon your heart?
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,
But they will not profit you.
13 When you cry out, (U)let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind will lift all of them up,
And a breath will take them away.
But he who (V)takes refuge in Me will (W)inherit the land
And will (X)possess My holy mountain.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 57:3 As in ancient versions; Heb she prostitutes herself
  2. Isaiah 57:5 Or terebinths
  3. Isaiah 57:5 Or wadis
  4. Isaiah 57:6 Symbols of fertility gods
  5. Isaiah 57:6 Or wadi
  6. Isaiah 57:6 Lit they, they
  7. Isaiah 57:6 Or regret, be comforted; cf. 40:1
  8. Isaiah 57:8 Or lying down
  9. Isaiah 57:8 Lit hand
  10. Isaiah 57:10 Lit the life of your hand
  11. Isaiah 57:10 Or become sick

But as for you, come here,
    you children of a sorceress,
    you offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute.[a](A)
Whom are you mocking?
    Against whom do you open your mouth wide
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of transgression,
    the offspring of deceit—(B)
you who burn with lust among the oaks,
    under every green tree;
you who slaughter your children in the valleys,
    under the clefts of the rocks?(C)
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion;
    it is they who are your lot;
to them you have poured out a drink offering;
    you have brought a grain offering.
    Should these acts cause me to relent?(D)
Upon a high and lofty mountain
    you have set your bed,
    and there you went up to offer sacrifice.(E)
Behind the door and the doorpost
    you have set up your symbol,
for in deserting me[b] you have uncovered your bed;
    you have gone up to it;
    you have made it wide;
and you have made a bargain for yourself with them;
    you have loved their bed;
    you have gazed on their nakedness.[c](F)
You journeyed to Molech[d] with oil
    and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your envoys far away
    and sent them down to Sheol.(G)
10 You grew weary from your many wanderings,
    but you did not say, “It is no use!”
You found your desire rekindled,
    and so you did not weaken.(H)

11 Whom did you dread and fear
    so that you lied
and did not remember me
    or give me a thought?
Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes,[e]
    and so you do not fear me?(I)
12 I will announce your verdict,
    and the objects you made will not help you.
13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
    The wind will carry them off;
    a breath will take them away.
But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land
    and inherit my holy mountain.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. 57.3 Heb an adulterer and she prostitutes herself
  2. 57.8 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. 57.8 Or phallus; Heb hand
  4. 57.9 Or the king
  5. 57.11 Gk Vg: Heb silent even for a long time