178 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
178 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 57
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1. Good people pass away;
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the godly often die before their time.
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But no one seems to care or wonder why.
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No one seems to understand
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that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
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2. For those who follow godly paths
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will rest in peace when they die.
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Idolatrous Worship Condemned
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3. "But you--come here, you witches' children,
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you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
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4. Whom do you mock,
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making faces and sticking out your tongues?
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You children of sinners and liars!
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5. You worship your idols with great passion
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beneath the oaks and under every green tree.
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You sacrifice your children down in the valleys,
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among the jagged rocks in the cliffs.
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6. Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys.
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You worship them with liquid offerings and grain offerings.
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They, not I, are your inheritance.
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Do you think all this makes me happy?
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7. You have committed adultery on every high mountain.
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There you have worshiped idols
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and have been unfaithful to me.
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8. You have put pagan symbols
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on your doorposts and behind your doors.
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You have left me
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and climbed into bed with these detestable gods.
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You have committed yourselves to them.
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You love to look at their naked bodies.
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9. You have gone to Molech
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with olive oil and many perfumes,
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sending your agents far and wide,
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even to the world of the dead.
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10. You grew weary in your search,
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but you never gave up.
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Desire gave you renewed strength,
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and you did not grow weary.
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11. "Are you afraid of these idols?
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Do they terrify you?
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Is that why you have lied to me
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and forgotten me and my words?
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Is it because of my long silence
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that you no longer fear me?
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12. Now I will expose your so-called good deeds.
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None of them will help you.
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13. Let's see if your idols can save you
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when you cry to them for help.
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Why, a puff of wind can knock them down!
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If you just breathe on them, they fall over!
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But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land
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and possess my holy mountain."
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God Forgives the Repentant
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14. God says, "Rebuild the road!
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Clear away the rocks and stones
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so my people can return from captivity."
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15. The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
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the Holy One, says this:
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"I live in the high and holy place
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with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
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I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
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and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
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16. For I will not fight against you forever;
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I will not always be angry.
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If I were, all people would pass away--
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all the souls I have made.
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17. I was angry,
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so I punished these greedy people.
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I withdrew from them,
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but they kept going on their own stubborn way.
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18. I have seen what they do,
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but I will heal them anyway!
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I will lead them.
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I will comfort those who mourn,
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19. bringing words of praise to their lips.
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May they have abundant peace, both near and far,"
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says the LORD, who heals them.
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20. "But those who still reject me are like the restless sea,
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which is never still
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but continually churns up mud and dirt.
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21. There is no peace for the wicked,"
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says my God.
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