Isaiah 57:15-21
From the King James Version Bible, our passage for today:
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the
Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I
restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the
courage of those with repentant hearts.
16 For I will not fight against you forever; I will not
always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away—
all the souls I have made.
17 I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I
withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own
stubborn way.
18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway!
I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn,
19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they
have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD,
who heals them.
20 “But those who still reject me are like the restless
sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud
and dirt.
21 There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
From the New English Transaltion Bible, our passage for today:
15 For this is what the high and exalted one says,
the one who rulest forever, whose name is holy:
“I dwell in an exalted and holy place,
but also with the discouraged and humiliated,t
in order to cheer up the humiliated
and to encourage the discouraged.t
16 For I will not be hostilet forever
or perpetually angry,
for then man’s spirit would grow faint before me,t
the life-giving breath I created.
17 I was angry because of their sinful greed;
I attacked them and angrily rejected them,t
yet they remained disobedient and stubborn.t
18 I have seen their behavior,t
but I will heal them and give them rest,
and I will once again console those who mourn.t
19 I am the one who gives them reason to celebrate.s
Complete prosperityt is available both to those who are far away and those who are nearby,”
says the Lord, “and I will heal them.
20 But the wicked are like a surging sea
that is unable to be quiet;
its waves toss up mud and sand.
21 There will be no prosperity,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
