Isaiah 50

1 Thus said YHWH: “Where [is] this—the bill of your mother’s divorce, Whom I sent away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Behold, you have been sold for your iniquities, And for your transgressions Your mother has been sent away.

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? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2 Why have I come, and there is no one? I called, and there is none answering, Has My hand been at all short of redemption? And is there not power in Me to deliver? Behold, by My rebuke I dry up a sea, I make rivers a wilderness, Their fish stink, for there is no water, And die with thirst.

Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens [with] blackness, And I make their covering sackcloth.”

I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”

4 Lord YHWH has given to Me The tongue of taught ones, To know to aid the weary [by] a word, He awakens [Me] morning by morning, He awakens [My] ear to hear as taught ones.

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

5 Lord YHWH opened My ear, And I did not rebel—I did not move backward.

The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.

6 I have given My back to those striking, And My cheeks to those plucking out, I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.

7 And Lord YHWH gives help to Me, Therefore I have not been ashamed, Therefore I have set My face as a flint, And I know that I am not ashamed.

Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

8 Near [is] He who is justifying Me, Who contends with Me? We stand together, who [is] My opponent? Let him come near to Me.

The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!

9 Behold, Lord YHWH gives help to Me, Who [is] he that declares Me wicked? Behold, all of them wear out as a garment, A moth eats them.

Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them.

10 “Who [is] among you, fearing YHWH, Listening to the voice of His Servant, That has walked in dark places, And there is no brightness for him? Let him trust in the Name of YHWH, And lean on his God.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.

11 Behold, all you kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk in the light of your fire, And in the sparks you have caused to burn, This has been to you from My hand, You lie down in grief!”

Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment.