1
The righteous perishes, and no ish sets it upon his heart. Men of covenant-faithfulness are gathered away, and none understands that the righteous is gathered away from before the face of evil.
2
He enters shalom. They rest upon their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
3
“But you, draw near here, sons of the diviner, seed of the adulterer and the one committing whoredom.
4
Against whom do you delight yourselves? Against whom do you open the mouth wide and lengthen the tongue? Are you not sons of transgression, seed of falsehood,
5
inflaming yourselves among the mighty trees, beneath every green tree; slaughtering the children in the wadis, beneath the clefts of the rocks?
6
Among the smooth stones of the wadi is your portion; they, they are your lot. Indeed, to them you poured a drink offering; you brought up a grain offering. Shall I be comforted concerning these?
7
Upon a high and lifted mountain you set your bed. Indeed, there you ascended to sacrifice a sacrifice.
8
And behind the doors and doorposts you set your remembrance. For apart from Me you uncovered yourself and ascended; you made your bed wide. You cut covenant with them; you loved their bed; you saw the hand.
9
You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your fragrances. You sent your messengers far away and brought yourself low even to Sheol.
10
By the multitude of your ways you were wearied, yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found life for your hand; therefore you did not grow faint.
11
And whom did you dread and fear, that you lied and did not remember Me nor set Me upon your heart? Have I not been silent, even from ancient time, and therefore you do not fear Me?
12
I shall declare your righteousness and your works, but they shall not profit you.
13
When you cry, let your gathered idols deliver you. But wind shall carry all of them; breath shall take them. Yet the one taking refuge in Me shall inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”
14
And one shall say: “Build up; build up. Clear the way. Lift the stumbling block from the way of My people.”
15
For thus says the High and Exalted One, dwelling forever, whose Name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and with the crushed and lowly of ruach, to revive the ruach of the lowly and revive the heart of the crushed.
16
For I shall not contend forever, nor remain furious without end, for the ruach would faint before My face, even the breaths I Myself made.
17
Because of the crookedness of his unjust gain I was furious and struck him. Hiding My face, I was furious, yet he continued turning away in the way of his heart.
18
I have seen his ways, but I shall heal him. I shall lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19
creating the fruit of the lips: Shalom, shalom to the far and to the near,” says Yahuah, “and I shall heal him.”
20
But the wicked are like the driven sea, for it is unable to rest, and its waters cast up mire and mud.
21
“There is no shalom,” says my Elohim, “for the wicked.”