Comfort for the Contrite

Isaiah 57

14 And it shall be said,
m "Build up, build up, prepare the way,
remove every obstruction from my people's way."
 15 For thus says n the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is o Holy:
p "I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also q with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
r to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
 16 s For I will not contend forever,
nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me,
and the breath of life that I made.
 17 Because of the iniquity of his t unjust gain I was angry,
I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,
but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.
 18 I have seen his ways, u but I will heal him;
I will lead him v and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
 19 w creating x the fruit of the lips.
y Peace, peace, z to the far and to the near," says the Lord,
u "and I will heal him.
 20 a But the wicked are like the tossing sea;
for it cannot be quiet,
and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
 21 b There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

  1. Cross References
    Isaiah 62:10
    Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.
    Isaiah 40:3
    A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
  2. Cross References
    Micah 6:6
    With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
  3. Cross References
    Luke 1:49
    For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 113:6
    Who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 34:18
    The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
    Psalms 138:6
    For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 42:3
    A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 6:3
    Then the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.
    Psalms 103:9
    He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 56:11
    The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.
    Jeremiah 6:13
    For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
  9. Cross References
    Jeremiah 3:22
    Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God.
  10. Cross References
    Isaiah 61:3
    To grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 50:4
    The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
  12. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:15
    Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
  13. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:17
    And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 2:39
    For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
  15. Cross References
    Isaiah 57:18
    I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners.
  16. Cross References
    Jude 1:13
    Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 48:22
    "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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