Isaiah 57:3-13

New International Reader's Version

³ The Lord says, “Come here,
    you children of women who practice evil magic!
    You are children of prostitutes and those who commit adultery.
⁴ Who are you making fun of?
    Who are you laughing at?
    Who are you sticking your tongue out at?
You are people who refuse to obey me.
    You are just a bunch of liars!
⁵ You burn with sinful desire among the oak trees.
    You worship your gods under every green tree.
You sacrifice your children in the valleys.
    You also do it under the cliffs.
⁶ You have chosen some of the smooth stones in the valleys to be your gods.
    You have joined yourselves to them.
You have even poured out drink offerings to them.
    You have given grain offerings to them.
    So why should I take pity on you?
⁷ You have made your bed on a very high hill.
    You went up there to offer your sacrifices.
⁸ You have set up statues to remind you of your gods.
    You have put them behind your doors and doorposts.
You deserted me. You invited other lovers into your bed.
    You climbed into it and welcomed them.
You made a deal with them.
    And you looked with desire at their naked bodies.
⁹ You took olive oil to the god named Molek.
    You took a lot of perfume along with you.
You sent your messengers to places far away.
    You even sent them down to the place of the dead.
¹⁰ You wore yourself out with all your efforts.
    But you would not say, ‘It’s hopeless.’
You received new strength.
    So you did not give up.

¹¹ “Who are you so afraid of
    that you have not been faithful to me?
You have not remembered me.
    What you do doesn’t even bother you.
I have not punished you for a long time.
    That is why you are not afraid of me.
¹² You have not done what is right or good.
    I will let everyone know about it.
    And that will not be of any benefit to you.
¹³ Go ahead and cry out for help to all the statues of your gods.
    See if they can save you!
The wind will carry them off.
    Just a puff of air will blow them away.
But anyone who comes to me for safety
    will receive the land.
    They will possess my holy mountain of Zion.”