New Living Translation (NLT)
Isaiah 57
9 You have given olive oil to Molech with many gifts of perfume. You have traveled far, even into the world of the dead, to find new gods to love.
10 You grew weary in your search, but you never gave up. Desire gave you renewed strength, and you did not grow weary.
11 “Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me?
12 Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you.
13 Let’s see if your idols can save you when you cry to them for help. Why, a puff of wind can knock them down! If you just breathe on them, they fall over! But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
14 God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.”
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
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.