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1 The righteous one perishes, and no one takes it to heart;
people of steadfast love are taken away, with no one understanding that the righteous one is taken away from evil.
2 He enters into peace;
they rest on their beds, each one who walks uprightly.
3 “But you, come near, children of a sorceress, offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute.
4 Whom are you mocking?
Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion, offspring of falsehood,
5 you who burn with passion among the oaks, under every leafy tree, who slaughter children in the ravines, under the overhangs of the rocks?
6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion;
they, they are your lot.
To them you have poured out a drink offering and brought a grain offering.
Should I relent over these things?
7 On a high and lofty mountain you set your bed;
there too you went up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the door and the doorpost you set your memorial.
Away from me you uncovered yourself and went up;
you enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them.
You loved their bed and gazed on their manhood.
9 You went to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your envoys far away and humbled yourself as far as Sheol.
10 You grew weary with the length of your way, yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You found renewed vigor in your hand, so you did not grow weak.
11 Whom did you dread and fear, that you lied and did not remember me or take me to heart?
Have I not kept silent for a long time, and you do not fear me?
12 I will declare your righteousness and your works, but they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
The wind will carry them all away;
a breath will sweep them off.
But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
14 And he will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way!
Remove the stumbling block from the way of my people.”
15 For thus says the high and exalted One, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and with the contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend forever or always be angry, for the spirit would faint before me, and the breaths of life I have made.
17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry and struck him;
I hid myself and was angry, yet he went on turning away in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19 creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.”
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot be still, whose waters cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”