Isaiah 57:16-18

Context

57:16 For I will not be hostile¹ forever

or perpetually angry,

for then man’s spirit would grow faint before me,²

the life-giving breath I created.

57:17 I was angry because of their sinful greed;

I attacked them and angrily rejected them,³

yet they remained disobedient and stubborn.⁴

57:18 I have seen their behavior,⁵

but I will heal them and give them rest,

and I will once again console those who mourn.⁶

[57:16] ¹tn Or perhaps, “argue,” or “accuse” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV).

[57:16] ²tn Heb “for a spirit from before me would be faint.”

[57:17] ³tn Heb “and I struck him, hiding, and I was angry.” פָּנַיִם (panayim, “face”) is the implied object of “hiding.”

[57:17] ⁴tn Heb “and he walked [as an] apostate in the way of his heart.”

[57:18] ⁵tn Heb “his ways” (so KJV, NASB, NIV); TEV “how they acted.”

[57:18] ⁶tn Heb “and I will restore consolation to him, to his mourners.”