The Blessed Death of the Righteous

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

1THE just perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and men of mercy are taken away, because there is none that understandeth; for the just man is taken away from before the face of evil.

2Let peace come, let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his uprightness.

God Condemns Idolatry

3But draw near hither, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer, and of the harlot.

4Upon whom have you jested? upon whom have you opened your mouth wide, and put out your tongue? are not you wicked children, a false seed,

5Who seek your comfort in idols under every green tree, sacrificing children in the torrents, under the high rocks?

6In the parts of the torrent is thy portion, this is thy lot: and thou hast poured out libations to them, thou hast offered sacrifice. Shall I not be angry at these things?

7Upon a high and lofty mountain thou hast laid thy bed, and hast gone up thither to offer victims.

8And behind the door, and behind the post thou best set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself near me, and hast received an adulterer: thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made a covenant with them: thou hast loved their bed with open hand.

9And thou hast adorned thyself for the king with ointment, and hast multiplied thy perfumes. Thou hast sent thy messengers far off, and wast debased even to hell.

10Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy ways: yet thou saidst not: I will rest: thou hast found life of thy hand, therefore thou hast not asked.

11For whom hast thou been solicitous and afraid, that thou hast lied, and hast not been mindful of me, nor thought on me in thy heart? for I am silent, and as one that seeth not, and thou hast forgotten me.

12I will declare thy justice, and thy works shall not profit thee.

13When thou shalt cry, let thy companies deliver thee, but the wind shall carry them all off, a breeze shall take them away, but he that putteth his trust in me, shall inherit the land, and shall possess my holy mount.

Healing for the Repentant

(Jeremiah 3:11-25; Hosea 14:1-3; Zechariah 1:1-6)

14And I will say: Make a way: give free passage, turn out of the path, take away the stumblingblocks out of the way of my people.

15For thus saith the High and the Eminent that inhabiteth eternity: and his name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and holy place, and with a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

16For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be angry unto the end: because the spirit shall go forth from my face, end breathings I will make.

17For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry, and I struck him: I hid my face from thee, and was angry: and he went away wandering in his own heart.

18I saw his ways, and I healed him, and brought him back, and restored comforts to him, and to them that mourn for him.

19I created the fruit of the lips, peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, said the Lord, and I healed him.

20But the wicked are like the raging sea, which cannot rest, and the waves thereof cast up dirt and mire.

21There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord God.