1 This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce

with which I sent her away?

Or to which of my creditors

did I sell you?

Because of your sins you were sold;

because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2 When I came, why was there no one?

When I called, why was there no one to answer?

Was my arm too short to deliver you?

Do I lack the strength to rescue you?

By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,

I turn rivers into a desert;

their fish rot for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with darkness

and make sackcloth its covering.”

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;

I have not been rebellious,

I have not turned away.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint,

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.

Who then will bring charges against me?

Let us face each other!

Who is my accuser?

Let him confront me!

9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.

Who will condemn me?

They will all wear out like a garment;

the moths will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the word of his servant?

Let the one who walks in the dark,

who has no light,

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on their God.

11 But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

You will lie down in torment.

1 Thus says the Lord:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce,

with which I sent her away?

Or which of my creditors is it

to whom I have sold you?

Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,

and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2 Why, when I came, was there no man;

why, when I called, was there no one to answer?

Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a desert;

their fish stink for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness

and make sackcloth their covering.”

4 The Lord God has given me

the tongue of those who are taught,

that I may know how to sustain with a word

him who is weary.

Morning by morning he awakens;

he awakens my ear

to hear as those who are taught.

5 The Lord God has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I turned not backward.

6 I gave my back to those who strike,

and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;

I hid not my face

from disgrace and spitting.

7 But the Lord God helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like a flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who is my adversary?

Let him come near to me.

9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;

the moth will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the voice of his servant?

Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,

who equip yourselves with burning torches!

Walk by the light of your fire,

and by the torches that you have kindled!

This you have from my hand:

you shall lie down in torment.

1 Thus saith the Lord,

Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away?

Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you?

Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves,

And for your transgressions is your mother put away.

2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man?

When I called, was there none to answer?

Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a wilderness:

Their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness,

And I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:

He wakeneth morning by morning,

He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear,

And I was not rebellious,

Neither turned away back.

6 I gave my back to the smiters,

And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:

I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7 For the Lord God will help me;

Therefore shall I not be confounded:

Therefore have I set my face like a flint,

And I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8 He is near that justifieth me;

Who will contend with me? let us stand together:

Who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9 Behold, the Lord God will help me;

Who is he that shall condemn me?

Lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord,

That obeyeth the voice of his servant,

That walketh in darkness, and hath no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord,

And stay upon his God.

11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks:

Walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled.

This shall ye have of mine hand;

Ye shall lie down in sorrow.

1 This is what the Lord says:

“Was your mother sent away because I divorced her?

Did I sell you as slaves to my creditors?

No, you were sold because of your sins.

And your mother, too, was taken because of your sins.

2 Why was no one there when I came?

Why didn’t anyone answer when I called?

Is it because I have no power to rescue?

No, that is not the reason!

For I can speak to the sea and make it dry up!

I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish.

3 I dress the skies in darkness,

covering them with clothes of mourning.”

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,

so that I know how to comfort the weary.

Morning by morning he wakens me

and opens my understanding to his will.

5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,

and I have listened.

I have not rebelled or turned away.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me

and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.

I did not hide my face

from mockery and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,

determined to do his will.

And I know that I will not be put to shame.

8 He who gives me justice is near.

Who will dare to bring charges against me now?

Where are my accusers?

Let them appear!

9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!

Who will declare me guilty?

All my enemies will be destroyed

like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

10 Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys his servant?

If you are walking in darkness,

without a ray of light,

trust in the Lord

and rely on your God.

11 But watch out, you who live in your own light

and warm yourselves by your own fires.

This is the reward you will receive from me:

You will soon fall down in great torment.

1 Thus says the Lord:

“Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce,

Whom I have put away?

Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you?

For your iniquities you have sold yourselves,

And for your transgressions your mother has been put away.

2 Why, when I came, was there no man?

Why, when I called, was there none to answer?

Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a wilderness;

Their fish stink because there is no water,

And die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness,

And I make sackcloth their covering.”

4 “The Lord God has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

5 The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

6 I gave My back to those who struck Me,

And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;

I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

7 “For the Lord God will help Me;

Therefore I will not be disgraced;

Therefore I have set My face like a flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

8 He is near who justifies Me;

Who will contend with Me?

Let us stand together.

Who is My adversary?

Let him come near Me.

9 Surely the Lord God will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me?

Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;

The moth will eat them up.

10 “Who among you fears the Lord?

Who obeys the voice of His Servant?

Who walks in darkness

And has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord

And rely upon his God.

11 Look, all you who kindle a fire,

Who encircle yourselves with sparks:

Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—

This you shall have from My hand:

You shall lie down in torment.

1 This is what the Lord says:

“People of Israel, you say I divorced your mother.

Then where is the paper that proves it?

Or do you think I sold you

to pay a debt?

Because of the evil things you did, I sold you.

Because of the times she turned against me, your mother was sent away.

2 I came home and found no one there;

I called, but no one answered.

Do you think I am not able to save you?

Do I not have the power to save you?

Look, I need only to shout and the sea becomes dry.

I change rivers into a desert,

and their fish rot because there is no water;

they die of thirst.

3 I can make the skies dark;

I can make them black like clothes of sadness.”

4 The Lord God gave me the ability to teach

so that I know what to say to make the weak strong.

Every morning he wakes me.

He teaches me to listen like a student.

5 The Lord God helps me learn,

and I have not turned against him

nor stopped following him.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me.

I offered my cheeks to those who pulled my beard.

I won’t hide my face from them

when they make fun of me and spit at me.

7 The Lord God helps me,

so I will not be ashamed.

I will be determined,

and I know I will not be disgraced.

8 He shows that I am innocent, and he is close to me.

So who can accuse me?

If there is someone, let us go to court together.

If someone wants to prove I have done wrong,

he should come and tell me.

9 Look! It is the Lord God who helps me.

So who can prove me guilty?

Look! All those who try will become useless like old clothes;

moths will eat them.

10 Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys his servant?

That person may walk in the dark

and have no light.

Then let him trust in the Lord

and yet depend on his God.

11 But instead, some of you want to light your own fires

and make your own light.

So, go, walk in the light of your fires,

and trust your own light to guide you.

But this is what you will receive from me:

You will lie down in a place of pain.

1 Thus saith Jehovah, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught. 5 The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.

10 Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and rely upon his God. 11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

1 Thus saith Jehovah: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, through your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. 2 Wherefore did I come, and there was no man? I called, and there was none to answer? Is my hand at all shortened that I cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make rivers a wilderness; their fish stink because there is no water, and die for thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of the instructed, that I should know how to succour by a word him that is weary. He wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the instructed. 5 The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not away back. 6 I gave my back to smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 But the Lord Jehovah will help me: therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me: who will contend with me? let us stand together; who is mine adverse party? let him draw near unto me. 9 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Behold, they all shall grow old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10 Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that hearkeneth to the voice of his servant? he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, —let him confide in the name of Jehovah, and stay himself upon his God. 11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and among the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand: ye shall lie down in sorrow.

1 This is what the Lord says: 

Where are your mother’s divorce papers? 

Did I give her any to get rid of her? 

To which of my creditors did I sell you? 

You were sold because of your sins. 

I got rid of your mother because of your rebellion. 

2 Why was no one here when I came? 

Why was no one here to answer when I called? 

Am I too weak to reclaim you? 

Don’t I have the power to rescue you? 

I dry up the sea with my command, 

and I turn rivers into deserts. 

Their fish stink because there is no water, 

and people die of thirst. 

3 I clothe the heavens in darkness 

and cover them with sackcloth. 

4 The Almighty Lord will teach me what to say, 

so I will know how to encourage weary people. 

Morning after morning he will wake me 

to listen like a student. 

5 The Almighty Lord will open my ears. 

I will not rebel, nor will I turn away ⸤from him⸥. 

6 I will offer my back to those who whip me 

and my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard. 

I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me 

and spit on me. 

7 The Almighty Lord helps me. 

That is why I will not be ashamed. 

I have set my face like a flint. 

I know that I will not be put to shame. 

8 The one who pronounces me innocent is near. 

Who will bring a case against me? 

Let us confront each other! 

Who accuses me? 

Let him confront me! 

9 The Almighty Lord helps me. 

Who will find me guilty? 

They will all wear out like a garment. 

Moths will eat them. 

10 Who among you fears the Lord 

and obeys his servant? 

Let those who walk in darkness and have no light 

trust the name of the Lord 

and depend upon their God. 

11 But all of you light fires 

and arm yourselves with flaming torches. 

So walk in your own light 

and among the torches you have lit. 

This is what you will receive from me: 

You will be tormented. 

1 This is what the Lord says:

Where is your mother’s divorce certificate

that I used to send her away?

Or who were My creditors that I sold you to?

Look, you were sold for your iniquities,

and your mother was put away

because of your transgressions.

2 Why was no one there when I came?

Why was there no one to answer when I called?

Is My hand too short to redeem?

Or do I have no power to deliver?

Look, I dry up the sea by My rebuke;

I turn the rivers into a wilderness;

their fish rot because of lack of water

and die of thirst.

3 I dress the heavens in black

and make sackcloth their clothing.

4 The Lord God has given Me

the tongue of those who are instructed

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.

5 The Lord God has opened My ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I did not turn back.

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.

7 The Lord God will help Me;

therefore I have not been humiliated;

therefore I have set My face like flint,

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 The One who vindicates Me is near;

who will contend with Me?

Let us confront each other.

Who has a case against Me?

Let him come near Me!

9 In truth, the Lord God will help Me;

who will condemn Me?

Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment;

a moth will devour them.

10 Who among you fears the Lord,

listening to the voice of His Servant?

Who among you walks in darkness,

and has no light?

Let him trust in the name of Yahweh;

let him lean on his God.

11 Look, all you who kindle a fire,

who encircle yourselves with firebrands;

walk in the light of your fire

and in the firebrands you have lit!

This is what you’ll get from My hand:

you will lie down in a place of torment.

1 Thus says the Lord:

Where is your mother’s bill of divorce

with which I put her away?

Or which of my creditors is it

to whom I have sold you?

No, because of your sins you were sold,

and for your transgressions your mother was put away.

2 Why was no one there when I came?

Why did no one answer when I called?

Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

By my rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a desert;

their fish stink for lack of water,

and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness,

and make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord God has given me

the tongue of a teacher,

that I may know how to sustain

the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens—

wakens my ear

to listen as those who are taught.

5 The Lord God has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious,

I did not turn backward.

6 I gave my back to those who struck me,

and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;

I did not hide my face

from insult and spitting.

7 The Lord God helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

8 he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries?

Let them confront me.

9 It is the Lord God who helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

All of them will wear out like a garment;

the moth will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the voice of his servant,

who walks in darkness

and has no light,

yet trusts in the name of the Lord

and relies upon his God?

11 But all of you are kindlers of fire,

lighters of firebrands.

Walk in the flame of your fire,

and among the brands that you have kindled!

This is what you shall have from my hand:

you shall lie down in torment.

1 Thus says Yahweh:

“Where is this divorce document of your mother’s divorce, with which I dismissed her?

or to whom of my creditors did I sell you?

Look! you were sold because of your sin,

and your mother was dismissed because of your transgressions.

2 Why was there no man when I came,

no one who answered when I called?

Do I lack the strength to save?

Or is there no power in me to deliver?

Look! by my rebuke I dry up the sea;

I make the rivers a desert;

their fish stink because there is no water,

and they die because of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with darkness,

and I make their covering sackcloth.”

4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of a pupil,

to know how to help the weary with a word.

He awakens morning by morning,

awakens an ear for me to listen as do the pupils.

5 The Lord Yahweh has opened an ear for me,

and I, I was not rebellious.

I did not turn backwards;

6 I gave my back to those who struck me,

and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face from insults and spittle.

7 And the Lord Yahweh helps me,

therefore I have not been put to shame;

therefore I have set my face like flint.

And I know that I shall not be ashamed;

8 he who obtains rights for me is near.

Who will contend with me? Let us stand together.

Who is the master of my judgment? Let him approach me.

9 Look! The Lord Yahweh helps me.

Who is the one who will declare me guilty?

Look! All of them will be worn out like a garment;

the moth will eat them.

10 Who among you is in fear of Yahweh,

obeys the voice of his servant?

Who walks in darkness

and has no light,

trusts in the name of Yahweh

and depends on his God?

11 Look! All of you are kindlers of fire,

who gird yourselves with flaming arrows.

Walk in the light of your fire,

and among the flaming arrows you have kindled!

You shall have this from my hand:

you shall lie down in a place of torment.

1 The Lord says to the people in Jerusalem,

“Do you think I divorced your people before you?

Is that why I sent them away?

If it is, show me the letter of divorce.

I did not sell you into slavery to pay someone I owe.

You were sold because you sinned against me.

Your people were sent away because of their lawless acts.

2 When I came to save you, why didn’t anyone welcome me?

When I called out to you, why didn’t anyone answer me?

Wasn’t my arm powerful enough to set you free?

Wasn’t I strong enough to save you?

I dry up the sea with a single command.

I turn rivers into a desert.

Then fish rot because they do not have any water.

They die because they are thirsty.

3 I make the sky turn dark.

It looks as if it is dressed in black clothes.”

4 The Lord and King has taught me what to say.

He has taught me how to help those who are tired.

He wakes me up every morning.

He makes me want to listen like a good student.

5 The Lord and King has unplugged my ears.

I’ve always obeyed him.

I haven’t turned away from him.

6 I let my enemies beat me on my bare back.

I let them pull the hair out of my beard.

I didn’t turn my face away

when they made fun of me and spit on me.

7 The Lord and King helps me.

He won’t let me be dishonored.

So I’ve made up my mind to keep on serving him.

I know he won’t let me be put to shame.

8 He is near. He will prove I haven’t done anything wrong.

So who will bring charges against me?

Let’s face each other in court!

Who can bring charges against me?

Let him come and face me!

9 The Lord and King helps me.

So who will judge me?

My enemies will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.

They will disappear.

10 Does anyone among you have respect for the Lord?

Does anyone obey the message of the Lord’s servant?

Let the person who walks in the dark

trust in the Lord.

Let the one who doesn’t have any light to guide him

depend on his God.

11 But all of you sinners who light fires

should go ahead and walk in their light.

You who carry flaming torches

should walk in their light.

Here’s what I’m going to do to you.

I’ll make you lie down in great pain.