Comfort for the Contrite (Listen)

  And it shall be said,
  “Build up, build up, prepare the way,
    remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”
  For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
  “I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
  to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
  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.
  Because of the iniquity of his 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.
  I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
    I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
    creating the fruit of the lips.
  Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD,
    “and I will heal him.
  But the wicked are like the tossing sea;
    for it cannot be quiet,
    and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
  There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

(ESV)