For the High and Exalted One
who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed.

The righteous one perishes,
and no one takes it to heart;
faithful men are swept away,
with no one realizing
that the righteous one is swept away
from the presence of evil.

creating words of praise.”
The Lord says,
“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near,
and I will heal him.

But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea,
for it cannot be still,
and its waters churn up mire and muck.

He said,
“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,
remove every obstacle from My people’s way.”

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort
to him and his mourners,

But come here,
you sons of a sorceress,
offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute!

There is no peace for the wicked,”
says my God.

who burn with lust among the oaks,
under every green tree,
who slaughter children in the wadis
below the clefts of the rocks?

For I will not accuse you forever,
and I will not always be angry;
for then the spirit would grow weak before Me,
even the breath of man, which I have made.

You went to the king with oil
and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your couriers far away
and sent them down even to Sheol.

When you cry out,
let your collection of idols deliver you!
The wind will carry all of them off,
a breath will take them away.
But whoever takes refuge in Me
will inherit the land
and possess My holy mountain.

You have set up your memorial
behind the door and doorpost.
For away from Me, you stripped,
went up, and made your bed wide,
and you have made a bargain for yourself with them.
You have loved their bed;
you have gazed on their genitals.

He will enter into peace—
they will rest on their beds—
everyone who lives uprightly.

Because of his sinful greed I was angry,
so I struck him; I was angry and hid;
but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.

Who was it you dreaded and feared,
so that you lied and didn’t remember Me
or take it to heart?
Have I not kept silent for such a long time
and you do not fear Me?

You have placed your bed
on a high and lofty mountain;
you also went up there to offer sacrifice.

Your portion is among the smooth stones of the wadi;
indeed, they are your lot.
You have even poured out a drink offering to them;
you have offered a grain offering;
should I be satisfied with these?

I will expose your righteousness,
and your works—they will not profit you.

Who is it you are mocking?
Who is it you are opening your mouth
and sticking out your tongue at?
Isn’t it you, you rebellious children,
you race of liars,

You became weary on your many journeys,
but you did not say, “I give up!”
You found a renewal of your strength;
therefore you did not grow weak.