1  Thus says the Lord:

“Where is ^pyour mother’s ^qcertificate of divorce,

^rwith which I sent her away?

Or which of my creditors is it

to whom I have ^ssold you?

Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,

and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2  Why, when I came, ^twas there no man;

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

^uIs my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a desert;

their fish stink for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3  I clothe the heavens with blackness

and make ^vsackcloth their covering.”

4  The Lord God has given me

the tongue of those who are taught,

that I may know how to sustain with a word

him who is weary.

Morning by morning he awakens;

he awakens my ear

to hear as those who are taught.

5  The Lord God has opened my ear,

and I was not rebellious;

I turned not backward.

6  ^wI 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 ^xspitting.

7  But the Lord God helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face ^ylike a flint,

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

8  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  Behold, the Lord God helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

Behold, all of them will ^zwear out like a garment;

the ^amoth will eat them up.

10  Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the voice of ^bhis servant?

Let him who walks in darkness

and has no light

^ctrust in the name of the Lord

and ^drely 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!

This you have from my hand:

you shall lie down in torment.