ISAIAH 50 [†] Thus says the LORD:

“Where is  g your mother’s certificate of divorce,

with which  h I sent her away?

Or  i which of my creditors is it

to whom I have sold you?

 j Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,

and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2[†]  k Why, when I came, was there no man;

why, when I called, was there no one to answer?

 l Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

 m Behold, by my rebuke  n I dry up the sea,

 o I make the rivers a desert;

 p their fish stink for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3  q I clothe the heavens with blackness

and make sackcloth their covering.”

4[†] The Lord GOD has given  r me

the tongue of those who are taught,

that  s I may know how to sustain with a word

 t him who is weary.

Morning by morning he awakens;

he awakens my ear

to hear as those who are taught.

5  u The Lord GOD has opened my ear,

 v and I was not rebellious;

I turned not backward.

6[^][†]  w I gave my back to those who strike,

and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;

I hid not my face

from disgrace and spitting.

7[†] But the Lord GOD helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

 x therefore I have set my face like a flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

8[†]  y He who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

Let us stand up together.

Who is my adversary?

Let him come near to me.

9  z Behold, the Lord GOD helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;

the moth will eat them up.

10[†] Who among you fears the LORD

and obeys  a the voice of his servant?

 b Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light

trust in the name of the LORD

and rely on his God.

11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,

who equip yourselves with burning torches!

Walk by the light of your fire,

and by the torches that you have kindled!

 c This you have from my hand:

you shall lie down in torment.