Isaiah / Condemnation of Idolatry and Complacency

Condemnation of Idolatry and Complacency

Isaiah 56:9-57:13

Chapter 56

⁹ All beasts of the field, come to eat—all the beasts in the forest. ¹⁰ His watchmen are blind, all of them. They do not know, all of them—mute dogs, they cannot bark, dreamers lying down, lovers of slumber. ¹¹ And the dogs, mighty of soul, do not know satisfaction. And they are evil ones; they do not know to discern. All of them have turned to their way, each man to his gain from his end. ¹² "Let me take wine for myself, and let us drink our fill of beer, and tomorrow will be like today—exceedingly great."

Chapter 57

¹ The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart. Men of steadfast love are gathered, with no one discerning, for the righteous is gathered because of evil. ² He will enter peace. They will rest on their couches—the one who walks straight before him. ³ But you, come near here, sons of the cloud-rider, seed of the adulterer who commits prostitution! ⁴ Against whom do you delight? Against whom do you open the mouth and stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood? ⁵ Those comforting themselves among the gods under every lush tree, slayers of the children in the wadis, under the overhangs of the rocks. ⁶ Among the portions of the wadi—they are your portion, your lot. To them you also poured a libation; you caused an offering to ascend; you caused gods to ascend. I will console them. ⁷ On a high and lofty mountain you placed your cultic bed. Even there you went up to sacrifice a sacrifice. ⁸ And behind the door and the doorpost you have set your memorial. For from me you revealed yourself and went up; you widened your bed, and you cut for yourself from them the love of their bed. You have seen their hand. ⁹ And you presented yourself to the king with oil, and you multiplied your perfumes. You sent a messenger to a distant place, and you humbled yourself to Sheol. ¹⁰ In the abundance of your way you have wearied. You did not say, "Despairing!" You have given life to your hand; you have found it; on account of this you have not become weak. ¹¹ Whom did you worry about and fear, that you lied and did not remember me or place me upon your heart? Is it not because I am silent and overlook, that you do not fear me? ¹² I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you. ¹³ In your cry for deliverance he will deliver you, your gathering; and your gathering he will bear wind, he will take vapor. But the one seeking refuge in me will inherit land and possess my holy mountain.