Isaiah
50 This is what Jehovah says:
“Where is the divorce certificate+ of your mother, whom I sent away?
Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?
Look! It was because of your own errors+ you were sold,
And because of your own transgressions your mother was sent away.+
2 Why, then, was no one here when I came?
Why did no one answer when I called?+
Is my hand too short to redeem,
Or is there no power in me to rescue?+
Their fish rot for lack of water,
And they die because of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with gloom,+
And I make sackcloth their covering.”
4 The Sovereign Lord Jehovah has given me the tongue of those taught,*+
So that I may know how to answer* the tired one with the right word.*+
He awakens me morning by morning;
He awakens my ear to listen like the taught ones.+
I did not turn in the opposite direction.+
I did not hide my face from humiliating things and from spit.+
7 But the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will help me.+
That is why I will not feel humiliated.
That is why I have set my face like a flint,+
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 The One who declares me righteous is near.
Let us stand up together.*
Who has a case against me?
Let him approach me.
9 Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will help me.
Who will pronounce me guilty?
Look! They will all wear out like a garment.
A moth will eat them up.
10 Who among you fears Jehovah
And listens to the voice of his servant?+
Who has walked in deep darkness, without any brightness?
Let him trust in the name of Jehovah and support himself on* his God.
11 “Look! All of you who are igniting a fire,
Making sparks fly,
Walk in the light of your fire,
Among the sparks you have set ablaze.
This is what you will have from my hand:
In sheer pain you will lie down.