Isaiah 57

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include righteous, taken, considering. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.” The line’s distinctive content terms include adulterer, draw, near. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.” Naming Upon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off…” The line’s distinctive content terms include didst, debase, hell. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.” The line’s distinctive content terms include comforts, heal, lead. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I 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…” Naming Peace keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dirt, mire, rest. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.