[1] The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men
are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the
evil [to come]. [2] He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one
who walks in his uprightness. [3] But draw near here, you sons of the
sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute. [4] Against whom
do you sport yourselves? against whom make you a wide mouth, and put out
the tongue? Aren`t you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood, [5]
you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill
the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? [6] Among the
smooth [stones] of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot;
even to them have you poured a drink-offering, you have offered an
offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? [7] On a high and lofty
mountain have you set your bed; there also went you up to offer sacrifice.
[8] Behind the doors and the posts have you set up your memorial: for you
have uncovered [yourself] to another than me, and are gone up; you have
enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed
where you saw it. [9] You went to the king with oil, and did increase your
perfumes, and did send your ambassadors far off, and did debase yourself
even to Sheol. [10] You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you
didn`t say, It is in vain: you found a reviving of your strength; therefore
you weren`t faint. [11] Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you
lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven`t I held
my peace even of long time, and you don`t fear me? [12] I will declare your
righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you. [13] When
you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall
take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in
me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. [14] He will
say, Cast you up, cast you up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block
out of the way of my people. [15] For thus says the high and lofty One who
inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit
of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. [16] For I will not
contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint
before me, and the souls who I have made. [17] For the iniquity of his
covetousness was I angry, and struck him; I hid [my face] and was angry;
and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. [18] I have seen his
ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him
and to his mourners. [19] I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to
him who is far off and to him who is near, says Yahweh; and I will heal
him. [20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can`t rest, and
its waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] There is no peace, says my God, to
the wicked.
