1. Thus says the Lord:“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce,with which I sent her away?Or which of my creditors is itto whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2. Why, when I came, was there no man;why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is 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 waterand die of thirst.
3. I clothe the heavens with blacknessand make sackcloth their covering.”
4. The Lord God has given methe 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 earto hear as those who are taught.
5. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious;I turned not backward.
6. I gave my back to those who strike,and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;I hid not my facefrom disgrace and spitting.
7. But the Lord God helps me;therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like 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.