Isaiah 50

¹ Thus says Yahweh: Where is your mother’s writ of divorce by which I dismissed her? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? You were sold for your own crimes, for your own faults your mother was dismissed.

² Why did I find no one when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my hand too short to redeem? Have I not strength to save? With one threat I can dry the sea, and turn rivers to desert; so that their fish shrivel up for want of water and die of thirst.

³ I dress the heavens in black, make sackcloth their covering.

⁴ The Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple.

⁵ The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away.

⁶ I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.

⁷ The Lord Yahweh comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.

⁸ My vindicator is here at hand. Does anyone start proceedings against me? Then let us go to court together. Who thinks he has a case against me? Let him approach me.

⁹ The Lord Yahweh is coming to my help, who dare condemn me? They shall all go to pieces like a garment devoured by moths.

¹⁰ Let anyone who fears Yahweh among you listen to the voice of his servant! Whoever walks in darkness, and has no light shining for him, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, let him lean on his God.

¹¹ But you, you are all setting light to a fire, and fanning embers. Then in with you to the flames of your fire, to the embers that you are lighting. So will my hand deal with you and you shall lie down in torments.