3 I dress the heavens in black

and make sackcloth their covering.s

THE OBEDIENT SERVANT

4 The Lord God has given me

the tongue of those who are instructedt

to know how to sustain the weary with a word.

He awakens me each morning;

he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed.u

5 The Lord God has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I did not turn back.v

6 I gave my back to those who beat me,

and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard.

I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting.a

7 The Lord God will help me;

therefore I have not been humiliated;

therefore I have set my face like flint,b

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 The one who vindicates me is near;c

who will contend with me?

Let us confront each other.A

Who has a case against me?B

Let him come near me!