| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Idolatrous Worship Condemned |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3“But you—come here, you witches’ children, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Whom do you mock, making faces and sticking out your tongues? You children of sinners and liars! |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5You worship your idols with great passion beneath the oaks and under every green tree. You sacrifice your children down in the valleys, among the jagged rocks in the cliffs. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys. You worship them with liquid offerings and grain offerings. They, not I, are your inheritance. Do you think all this makes me happy? |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7You have committed adultery on every high mountain. There you have worshiped idols and have been unfaithful to me. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8You have put pagan symbols on your doorposts and behind your doors. You have left me and climbed into bed with these detestable gods. You have committed yourselves to them. You love to look at their naked bodies. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9You have gone to Molech with olive oil and many perfumes, sending your agents far and wide, even to the world of the dead. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10You grew weary in your search, but you never gave up. Desire gave you renewed strength, and you did not grow weary. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Let’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.” God Forgives the Repentant |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15The 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16For 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD, who heals them. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20“But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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