Isaiah

50 Says Jehovah, Where are your mother’s divorce papers to show that I turned her off? or what creditor of mine is it that I have sold you to? it was for your guilt you were sold, and for your crimes you were turned off. 2 How was it I came and there was not a man, I called and there was nobody to answer? Has my arm grown too short to redeem, or is there no strength in me to deliver? lo, by my rebuke I dry up a sea, I make rivers a wilderness, their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst; 3 I clothe sky with black and give it a sackcloth for covering.

4** The Lord Jehovah has given me a well-taught tongue to know how to give a drooping man a helpful word; morning by morning he makes my ear alert to hear like learners. 5 The Lord Jehovah has opened my ear, and I was not disobedient, did not shrink back: 6 I gave my back to beaters and my cheeks to beard-pullers plucking the skin bare, I did not screen myself from insult and spitting. 7 But the Lord Jehovah will help me, therefore I am not humiliated; therefore I have made my face like a pyrite stone and know I shall not be put to shame. 8 My vindicator is at hand; who will prosecute me? let us stand up together; who has a case against me? let him come on. 9 Here is the Lord Jehovah to help me, who is there to get me condemned? here are all of them going to wear out like blankets, to be eaten by moths.

10* Who among you fears Jehovah, obeys his servant? Let him who walks in the dark and has never a ray put his trust in Jehovah and lean on his God. 11* There you are kindling fires and lighting firebrands, all of you; walk by the light of your fires and by the firebrands you have set blazing! At my hands you get this—you shall lie down in pain.