Isaiah 50

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce^a

with which I sent her away?

Or to which of my creditors

did I sell^b you?

Because of your sins^c you were sold;^d

because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

When I came, why was there no one?

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

Was my arm too short^f to deliver you?

Do I lack the strength^g to rescue you?

By a mere rebuke^h I dry up the sea,ⁱ

I turn rivers into a desert;^j

their fish rot for lack of water

and die of thirst.

I clothe the heavens with darkness^k

and make sackcloth^l its covering.”

The Sovereign Lord^m has given me an instructed tongue,ⁿ

to know the word that sustains the weary.^o

He wakens me morning by morning,^p

wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.^q

The Sovereign Lord^r has opened my ears;^s

I have not been rebellious,^t

I have not turned away.

I offered my back to those who beat^u me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;^v

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.^w

Because the Sovereign Lord^x helps^y me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint,^z

and I know I will not be put to shame.^a

He who vindicates^b me is near.^c

Who then will bring charges against me?^d

Let us face each other!^e

Who are my accusers?

Let them confront me!

It is the Sovereign Lord^f who helps^g me.

Who will condemn^h me?

They will all wear out like a garment;

the mothsⁱ will eat them up.

Who among you fears^j the Lord

and obeys^k the word of his servant?^l

Let those who walk in the dark,

who have no light,^m

trustⁿ in the name of the Lord

and rely on their God.

But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,^o

go, walk in the light of your fires^p

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:^q

You will lie down in torment.^r