Isaiah 50

1 Thus saith Jehovah, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, 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 The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.5 The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.7 For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He is near that justifieth me; who will content with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.10 Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and rely upon his God.11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

ISAIAH 50

The [Lord]'s Power To Punish

1  t The [Lord] says, “Children,
I didn't divorce your mother
or sell you to pay debts;
I divorced her and sold you
because of your sins.

2 I came and called out,
but you didn't answer.
Have I lost my power
to rescue and save?
At my command oceans and rivers
turn into deserts;
fish rot and stink
for lack of water.

3 I make the sky turn dark
like the sackcloth
you wear at funerals.”

God's Servant Must Suffer

4 The [Lord] God gives me
the right words
to encourage the weary.
Each morning he awakens me
eager to learn his teaching;

5 he made me willing to listen
and not rebel or run away.

6  t I let them beat my back
and pull out my beard.
I didn't turn aside
when they insulted me
and spit in my face.

7 But the [Lord] God keeps me
from being disgraced.
So I refuse to give up,
because I know
God will never let me down.

8  t My protector is nearby;
no one can stand here
to accuse me of wrong.

9 The [Lord] God will help me
and prove I am innocent.
My accusers will wear out
like moth-eaten clothes.

10 None of you respect the [Lord]
or obey his servant.
You walk in the dark
instead of the light;
you don't trust the name
of the [Lord] your God.t

11 Go ahead and walk in the light
of the fires you have set.t
But with his own hand,
the [Lord] will punish you
and make you suffer.