New Living Translation (NLT)
Isaiah 57
16 For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away— all the souls I have made.
17 I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way.
18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn,
19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD, who heals them.
20 “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt.
21 There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
Isaiah 58
1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!
2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.
4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
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