< Isaiah 50 >
1 Thus says YHWH, "Where is the bill of your mother's divorce, with which I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Look, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.
2 Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can't redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Look, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."
4 YHWH has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
5 YHWH has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.
6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard; I did not cover my face from insults and spitting.
7 But YHWH will help me; therefore I have not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be disappointed.
8 He is near who justifies me; who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
9 Look, YHWH will help me; who is he who shall condemn me? Look, all they shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.
10 Who is among you who fears YHWH, who listens to the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of YHWH, and rely on his God.
11 Look, all you who kindle a fire, who adorn yourselves with flaming arrows around yourselves; walk in the light of your fire, and among the flaming arrows that you have kindled. You shall have this of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.