Isaiah 57:14-21
The Holy One revives the humble; the wicked have no peace.
14 He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”
15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.
17 I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest and its waters cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”
The Holy One revives the humble; the wicked have no peace.
To proclaim both restoration for the contrite and unrest for the wicked, revealing the LORD’s holy and healing character.
Following widespread idolatry and rebellion, the people are called to repentance and offered restoration, while the unrepentant remain under judgment.
The High and Lofty One Revives the Contrite but Gives No Peace to the Wicked
The holy and exalted LORD exposes idolatrous rebellion, revives the contrite, heals the repentant, and declares that the wicked can never possess peace.