1 The righteous man dies, and no one takes it to heart; the faithful are swept away, and no one understands that the righteous man is swept away from the coming evil.
2 He enters into peace; those who walk straight ahead find rest on their beds.
3 "But you, come over here, you children of a sorceress, offspring of an adulterer and of a woman who prostitutes herself!
4 Whom are you making fun of? At whom do you gape with your mouths and stick out your tongues? Are you not a brood of rebellion, offspring of deceit,
5 you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every leafy tree, who slaughter children in the ravines, under the overhanging rocks?
6 Your share is among the smooth stones of the ravine; they, they are your lot. To them you have poured out drink offerings and brought grain offerings. Should I relent in the face of these things?
7 On a high and towering mountain you have laid out your bed; you also went up there to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the door and the doorpost you have placed your reminder. For, turning away from me, you have uncovered your bed, climbed onto it and made it wide; you have struck a bargain with them; you have loved their bed; you have gazed on their nakedness.
9 You traveled to the king with oil and piled up your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away and sank down even to Sheol.
10 You grew tired from your long journeys, yet you never said, 'It is no use.' You found your strength renewed, and so you did not weaken.
11 Whom did you dread and fear, that you were false and did not remember me or give me a thought? Is it not because I have kept silent, and that for a long time, that you do not fear me?
12 I will expose your 'righteousness' and your deeds, and they will be of no help to you.
13 When you cry for help, let your collection of idols rescue you! The wind will carry off every one of them, a puff of air will sweep them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain."
14 And it will be said, "Build it up, build it up, clear the road! Take every obstacle out of my people's road."
15 For this is what the high and exalted One says, he who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in a high and holy place, and also with the crushed and humble in spirit, to give new life to the spirit of the humble and new life to the heart of the crushed.
16 For I will not bring charges forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of the souls I have made.
17 Because of the iniquity of his greed I was angry and struck him; I hid my face and was angry, yet he kept on going astray in the way of his own heart.
18 I have seen his ways, yet I will heal him; I will guide him and give comfort back to him and to those who mourn for him,
19 creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace to the one far away and to the one near," says the LORD, "and I will heal him."
20 But the wicked are like the churning sea, which cannot settle down, and its waters churn up mire and mud.
21 "There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.