1Behold , Jehovah ’s hand is not shortened , that it cannot save ; neither his ear heavy , that it cannot hear : 2but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you , so that he will not hear . 3For your hands are defiled with blood , and your fingers with iniquity ; your lips have spoken lies , your tongue muttereth wickedness . 4None sueth in righteousness , and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity , and speak lies ; they conceive mischief , and bring forth iniquity . 5They hatch adders ’ eggs , and weave the spider’s web : he that eateth of their eggs dieth ; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper . 6Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works : their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands . 7Their feet run to evil , and they make haste to shed innocent blood : their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their paths . 8The way of peace they know not ; and there is no justice in their goings : they have made them crooked paths ; whosoever goeth therein doth not know peace .
The Consequences of Sin
9Therefore is justice far from us , neither doth righteousness overtake us : we look for light, but , behold , darkness ; for brightness , but we walk in obscurity . 10We grope for the wall like the blind ; yea, we grope as they that have no eyes : we stumble at noonday as in the twilight ; among them that are lusty we are as dead men . 11We roar all like bears , and moan sore like doves : we look for justice , but there is none ; for salvation , but it is far off from us . 12For our transgressions are multiplied before thee , and our sins testify against us ; for our transgressions are with us , and as for our iniquities , we know them : 13transgressing and denying Jehovah , and turning away from following our God , speaking oppression and revolt , conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood . 14And justice is turned away backward, and righteousness standeth afar off ; for truth is fallen in the street , and uprightness cannot enter . 15Yea , truth is lacking ; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey . And Jehovah saw it , and it displeased him that there was no justice .
The Lord's Response and Promise of Redemption
16And he saw that there was no man , and wondered that there was no intercessor : therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him ; and his righteousness , it upheld him . 17And he put on righteousness as a breastplate , and a helmet of salvation upon his head ; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing , and was clad with zeal as a mantle . 18According to their deeds , accordingly he will repay , wrath to his adversaries , recompense to his enemies ; to the islands he will repay recompense . 19So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west , and his glory from the rising of the sun ; for he will come as a rushing stream , which the breath of Jehovah driveth . 20And a Redeemer will come to Zion , and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob , saith Jehovah . 21And as for me , this is my covenant with them , saith Jehovah : my Spirit that is upon thee , and my words which I have put in thy mouth , shall not depart out of thy mouth , nor out of the mouth of thy seed , nor out of the mouth of thy seed ’s seed , saith Jehovah , from henceforth and for ever .