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 do you make a wide mouth, and stick out
your 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; you have
even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an
offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? 7 On a high
and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up
to offer sacrifice. 8 Behind the doors and the posts you
have set up your memorial:
for you have uncovered to someone besides me,
and have 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 debased 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 up, cast 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 them." 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, "for the wicked."