Isaiah 57:1-13 - Idolatry Is Adultery

¹ The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil. ² He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.

³ "But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute. ⁴ Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren't you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood, ⁵ you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ⁶ Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot; you have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? ⁷ On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice. ⁸ Behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered to someone besides me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it. ⁹ You went to the king with oil, and increased your perfumes, and sent your ambassadors far off, and debased yourself even to Sheol. ¹⁰ You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you did not say, 'It is in vain.' You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren't faint. ¹¹ "Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven't I held my peace even of long time, and you do not fear me? ¹² I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you. ¹³ When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain."