Isaiah 57:14-21

14 Now, I say,

 ‘Build up, build up, prepare the way,

 remove every obstacle from my people's way.’

15 For this is what the one High and Lifted Up says;

 He who lives forever, whose name is Holy:

 I live in a high and holy place,

 with One who is crushed and lowly in spirit,

 to revive the spirit of the lowly,

 and to revive the heart of the crushed.

16 For I will not struggle forever,

 And I will not always be angry;

 for spirit would grow faint before me,

 the breath of life I have made.

17 I was angry because of the sin of his greed;

 I struck him, I hid and was angry;

 but he continued to go back

 to the ways of his heart.

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;

 I will lead him and restore

my compassion to him,

19 I will make the words for those who mourn to say.

 “Peace, peace, to those far and near,”

 says the Lord;

 “I will heal them.”’

20 But the wicked are like the driven sea

 that cannot keep still;

 its waters throw up mire and mud.

21 There is no peace, says my God,

 for the wicked.

translation by Paul H Ashby © 2008 all rights reserved