50 This is what the Lord says:

Where is your mother’s divorce certificate

that I used to send her away? m

Or who were My creditors that I sold you to? n

Look, you were sold for your iniquities, o

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? p

Or do I have no power to deliver?

Look, I dry up the sea by My rebuke; q

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. r

The Obedient Servant

4 The Lord God has given Me

the tongue of those who are instructed s

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. t

5 The Lord God has opened My ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I did not turn back. u

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. v

7 The Lord God will help Me;

therefore I have not been humiliated;

therefore I have set My face like flint, w

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 The One who vindicates Me is near; x

who will contend with Me?

Let us confront each other. y

Who has a case against Me? z

Let him come near Me!

9 In truth, the Lord God will help Me;

who will condemn Me? a

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

a moth will devour them. b

10 Who among you * fears the Lord,

listening to the voice of His Servant? c

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 d 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.