So justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;(A)
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind(B) we grope along the wall,
    feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble(C) as if it were twilight;
    among the strong, we are like the dead.(D)
11 We all growl like bears;
    we moan mournfully like doves.(E)
We look for justice, but find none;
    for deliverance, but it is far away.

12 For our offenses(F) are many in your sight,
    and our sins testify(G) against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
    and we acknowledge our iniquities:(H)
13 rebellion(I) and treachery against the Lord,
    turning our backs(J) on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,(K)
    uttering lies(L) our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice(M) is driven back,
    and righteousness(N) stands at a distance;
truth(O) has stumbled in the streets,
    honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth(P) is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.(Q)

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Therefore justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not overtake us;
(A)we hope for light, and behold, darkness,
    and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
10 (B)We grope for the wall like the blind;
    we grope like those who have no eyes;
we stumble at noon as in the twilight,
    (C)among those in full vigor we are like dead men.
11 We all growl like bears;
    (D)we moan and moan like doves;
(E)we hope for justice, but there is none;
    for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you,
    and our sins testify against us;
for our transgressions are with us,
    and we know our iniquities:
13 transgressing, and denying the Lord,
    and turning back from following our God,
(F)speaking oppression and revolt,
    conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.

Judgment and Redemption

14 (G)Justice is turned back,
    and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
    and uprightness cannot enter.
15 Truth is lacking,
    and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him[a]
    that there was no justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 59:15 Hebrew and it was evil in his eyes