Idolatry Rebuked, Peace Promised

Isaiah 57

The chapter laments that the righteous perish without anyone taking it to heart, then turns to rebuke a people compared to adulterers who worship idols under trees and even sacrifice children in the valleys. The Most High, who dwells in the high and holy place, promises to heal and comfort the contrite in spirit while declaring there is no peace for the wicked.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonYOU see how a righteous one was destroyed, and no one layeth it to heart. And righteous men are taken away, and no one observeth that on account of iniquity the righteous one was taken away.

BrentonSee how the just man has perished, and no one lays it to heart: and righteous men are taken away, and no one considers: for the righteous has been removed out of the way of injustice.

GreekἼδετε ὡς ὁ δίκαιος ἀπώλετο, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐκδέχεται τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ ἄνδρες δίκαιοι αἴρονται, καὶ οὐδεὶς κατανοεῖ· ἀπὸ γὰρ προσώπου ἀδικίας ᾖρται ὁ δίκαιος.

KJVThe righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

JPSThe righteous perisheth, And no man layeth it to heart, And godly men are taken away, None considering That the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Thomson—

BrentonHis burial shall be in peace: he has been removed out of the way.

GreekἜσται ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἡ ταφὴ αὐτοῦ, ᾖρται ἐκ τοῦ μέσου.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBut as for you, draw near hither, ye lawless sons! ye seed of adulterers and of fornication!

BrentonBut draw ye near hither, ye lawless children, the seed of adulterers and the harlot.

GreekὙμεῖς δὲ προσαγάγετε ὧδε υἱοὶ ἄνομοι, σπέρμα μοιχῶν καὶ πόρνης.

KJVBut draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

JPSBut draw near hither, Ye sons of the sorceress, The seed of the adulterer and the harlot.

Thomsonin what have you indulged yourselves? and at whom have you opened your mouth, and at whom lolled your tongue? Are you not children of destruction—a lawless race?

BrentonWherein have ye been rioting? and against whom have ye opened your mouth, and against whom have ye loosed your tongue? are ye not children of perdition? a lawless seed?

GreekἘν τίνι ἐνετρυφήσατε; καὶ ἐπὶ τίνα ἠνοίξατε τὸ στόμα ὑμῶν; καὶ ἐπὶ τίνα ἐχαλάσατε τὴν γλῶσσαν ὑμῶν; οὐχ ὑμεῖς ἐστέ τέκνα ἀπωλείας; σπέρμα ἄνομον;

KJVAgainst whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,

JPSAgainst whom do ye sport yourselves? Against whom make ye a wide mouth, And draw out the tongue? Are ye not children of transgression, A seed of falsehood,

Thomsoninvoking idols under shady trees, slaying your children in the valleys among the rocks?

Brentonwho call upon idols under the leafy trees, slaying your children in the valleys among the rocks?

GreekΟἱ παρακαλοῦντες εἴδωλα ὑπὸ δένδρα δασέα, σφάζοντες τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἐν ταῖς φάραγξιν ἀναμέσον τῶν πετρῶν;

KJVEnflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

JPSYe that inflame yourselves among the terebinths, Under every leafy tree; That slay the children in the valleys, Under the clefts of the rocks?

ThomsonThis shall be thy portion—this thy lot—as thou hast poured out libations to them and to them offered up sacrifices, shall I not for these things be angered?

BrentonThat is thy portion, this is thy lot: and to them hast thou poured forth drink-offerings, and to these hast thou offered meat-offerings. Shall I not therefore be angry for these things?

GreekἘκείνη σου ἡ μερίς, οὗτός σου ὁ κλῆρος, κᾀκείνοις ἐξέχεας σπονδὰς, καὶ τούτοις ἀνήνεγκας θυσίας· ἐπὶ τούτοις οὖν οὐκ ὀργισθήσομαι;

KJVAmong the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

JPSAmong the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; They, they are thy lot; Even to them hast thou poured a drink-offering, Thou hast offered a meal-offering. Should I pacify Myself for these things?

ThomsonOn a high and lofty mountain thou hast made thy bed, and caused thy sacrifice to ascend thither;

BrentonOn a lofty and high mountain, there is thy bed, and thither thou carriedst up thy meat-offerings:

GreekἘπʼ ὄρος ὑψηλὸν καὶ μετέωρον, ἐκεῖ σου ἡ κοίτη, καὶ ἐκεῖ ἀνεβίβασας θυσίας σου,

KJVUpon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

JPSUpon a high and lofty mountain Hast thou set thy bed; Thither also wentest thou up To offer sacrifice.

Thomsonand behind the posts of thy doors thou hast set up thy memorial. Didst thou think that, if thou departedst from Me, thou shouldst have something more? Thou hast loved them who lay with thee

Brentonand behind the posts of thy door thou didst place thy memorials. Didst thou think that if thou shouldest depart from me, thou wouldest gain? thou hast loved those that lay with thee;

Greekκαὶ ὀπίσω τῶν σταθμῶν τῆς θύρας σου ἔθηκας μνημόσυνά σου· ᾤου, ὅτι ἐὰν ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ ἀποστῇς, πλεῖόν τι ἕξεις; ἠγάπησας τοὺς κοιμωμένους μετὰ σοῦ,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonand multiplied thy fornication with them, and hast done it with many who are far from thee; and hast sent ambassadors beyond thy borders, and humbled thyself even to Hades;

Brentonand thou hast multiplied thy whoredom with them, and thou hast increased the number of them that are far from thee, and hast sent ambassadors beyond thy borders, and hast been debased even to hell.

Greekκαὶ ἐπλήθυνας τὴν πορνείαν σου μετʼ αὐτῶν, καὶ πολλοὺς ἐποίησας τοὺς μακρὰν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ ἀπέστειλας πρέσβεις ὑπὲρ τὰ ὅριά σου, καὶ ἐταπεινώθης ἕως ᾅδου.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonWith thy long journies thou hast wearied thyself and hast not said, I will take some rest. Because in thy full strength thou hast done this, therefore thou shouldst not supplicate Me.

BrentonThou hast wearied thyself with thy many ways; yet thou saidst not, I will cease to strengthen myself: for thou hast done these things; therefore thou hast not supplicated me.

GreekΤαῖς πολυοδίαις σου ἐκοπίασας, καὶ οὐκ εἶπας παύσομαι ἐνισχύουσα· ὅτι ἔπραξας ταῦτα, διατοῦτο οὐ κατεδεήθης μου σύ.

KJVThou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonThrough dread of whom hast thou feared, and lied against me, and hast not remembered, nor considered me, nor regarded me, yea, though when I see thee I pass thee by, yet thou hast not feared me.

GreekΤίνα εὐλαβηθεῖσα ἐφοβήθης, καὶ ἐψεύσω με, καὶ οὐκ ἐμνήσθης, οὐδὲ ἔλαβές με εἰς τὴν διάνοιαν, οὐδὲ εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου; καὶ ἐγώ σε ἰδὼν παρορῶ, καὶ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἐφοβήθης.

KJVAnd of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

JPS—

ThomsonNow I will declare My righteousness and thine evil deeds which shall not avail thee.

BrentonAnd I will declare thy righteousness, and thy sins, which shall not profit thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγὼ ἀπαγγελῶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, καὶ τὰ κακά σου, ἃ οὐκ ὠφελήσει σε,

KJVI will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

JPSI will declare thy righteousness; thy works also—they shall not profit thee.

ThomsonWhen thou criest; let them deliver thee in thine affliction. A wind indeed shall overtake them all; and a whirlwind shall sweep them away. But they who adhere to Me shall possess the land, and inherit My holy mountain.

BrentonWhen thou criest out, let them deliver thee in thine affliction: for all these the wind shall take, and the tempest shall carry them away: but they that cleave to me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

Greekὅταν ἀναβοήσῃς ἐξελέσθωσάν σε ἐν τή θλίψει σου· τούτους γὰρ πάντας ἄνεμος λήψεται, καὶ ἀποίσει καταιγίς· οἱ δὲ ἀντεχόμενοί μου κτήσονται γῆν, καὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὸ ὄρος τὸ ἅγιόν μου·

KJVWhen thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

JPSWhen thou criest, let them that thou hast gathered deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away, a breath shall bear them off; but he that taketh refuge in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.

ThomsonAnd they will say, Clear the ways before Him. Remove obstructions out of the road of My people.

BrentonAnd they shall say, Clear the ways before him, and take up the stumbling-blocks out of the way of my people.

GreekΚαὶ ἐροῦσι, καθαρίσατε ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ὁδοὺς, καὶ ἄρατε σκῶλα ἀπὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ τοῦ λαοῦ μου.

KJVAnd shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

JPSAnd He will say: Cast ye up, cast ye up, clear the way, Take up the stumblingblock out of the way of My people.

ThomsonThus saith the Most High, Who on earth inhabiteth eternity, Who is Holy among holies, Whose name is The Most High, Who at rest in the holies giveth patience to the humble, and life to them who are of a contrite heart:—

BrentonThus saith the Most High, who dwells on high for ever, Holy in the holies, is his name, the Most High resting in the holies, and giving patience to the faint-hearted, and giving life to the broken-hearted:

GreekΤάδε λέγει ὁ ὕψιστος, ἐν ὑψηλοῖς κατοικῶν τὸν αἰῶνα, ἅγιος ἐν ἁγίοις, ὄνομα αὐτῷ, ὕψιστος ἐν ἁγίοις ἀναπαυόμενος, καὶ ὀλιγοψύχοις διδοὺς μακροθυμίαν, καὶ διδοὺς ζωὴν τοῖς συντετριμμένοις τὴν καρδίαν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonI will not contend with you forever, nor will I be continually angry with you, for from Me My Spirit shall proceed, and I have made every breathing soul.

BrentonI will not take vengeance on you for ever, neither will I be always angry with you: for my Spirit shall go forth from me, and I have created all breath.

GreekΟὐκ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐκδικήσω ὑμᾶς, οὐδὲ διαπαντὸς ὀργισθήσομαι ὑμῖν· πνεῦμα γὰρ παρʼ ἐμοῦ ἐξελεύσεται, καὶ πνοὴν πᾶσαν ἐγὼ ἐποίησα.

KJVFor I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

JPSFor I will not contend for ever, Neither will I be always wroth; For the spirit that enwrappeth itself is from Me, And the souls which I have made.

ThomsonBecause of sin I grieved him a little while and smote him and turned away My face from him; and he was grieved and went his ways sorrowing;

BrentonOn account of sin for a little while I grieved him, and smote him, and turned away my face from him; and he was grieved, and he went on sorrowful in his ways.

GreekΔιʼ ἁμαρτίαν βραχύ τι ἐλύπησα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐπάταξα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπέστρεψα τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐλυπήθη, καὶ ἐπορεύθη στυγνὸς ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonI have seen his ways and healed him, and comforted him, and given him true consolation.

BrentonI have seen his ways, and healed him, and comforted him, and given him true comfort;

GreekΤὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ ἑώρακα, καὶ ἰασάμην αὐτὸν, καὶ παρεκάλεσα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔδωκα αὐτῷ παράκλησιν ἀληθινὴν,

KJVI have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

JPSI have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and requite with comforts him and his mourners.

ThomsonPeace upon peace, to them near and to them far off. And the Lord said, I will heal them.

Brentonpeace upon peace to them that are far off, and to them that are nigh: and the Lord has said, I will heal them.

Greekεἰρήνην ἐπʼ εἰρήνῃ τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ τοῖς ἐγγὺς οὖσι· καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, ἰάσομαι αὐτοὺς.

KJVI create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

JPSPeace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, Saith the LORD that createth the fruit of the lips; And I will heal him.

ThomsonBut the wicked shall be tossed like waves and shall not be able to rest.

BrentonBut the unrighteous shall be tossed as troubled waves, and shall not be able to rest.

GreekΟἱ δὲ ἄδικοι κλυδωνισθήσονται, καὶ ἀναπαύσασθαι οὐ δυνήσονται.

KJVBut the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

JPSBut the wicked are like the troubled sea; For it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.

ThomsonThere is no peace, said God, for the wicked.

BrentonThere is no joy to the ungodly, said God.

GreekΟὐκ ἔστι χαίρειν τοῖς ἀσεβέσιν, εἶπεν ὁ Θεός.

KJVThere is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

JPSThere is no peace, Saith my God concerning the wicked.