Isaiah 50:4-11
New Catholic Bible
4 [a]The Lord God has given me
the tongue of one who has been well taught
so that I am able to console the weary
with a message of encouragement.
Morning after morning he opens my ears
so that I may listen to their concerns.
5 And I have not rebelled,
I have not turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who struck me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard.
I did not shield my face
from insults and spitting.
7 The Lord God is my help;
therefore I have not been disgraced.
Rather, I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who upholds me is near;
thus, if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us confront each other.
Is there anyone who has a case against me?
Let him come forward.
9 The Lord God is my defender;
who then will dare to condemn me?
All of them will wear out like a garment
the moth will devour them.
10 Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys his servant’s voice?
Who among you walks in darkness
without any light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
11 But all of you kindle a fire
and arm yourselves with firebrands.
Walk by the light of your fire
and the firebrands that you have set ablaze.
This is what you will receive from my hand:
you will lie down in torment.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 50:4 We cannot imagine a more profound docility and self-surrender than that of this mysterious Servant. He is filled with the sense of God to the point that nothing can make him waver. Sent as he is to strengthen his discouraged brothers and sisters, he does not weaken but endures persecution, for he is sure of God’s power within him. His lot makes us think of the treatment inflicted on Jesus. Instructed by his example, pious Jews and pagans (v. 10) can acknowledge God as Savior.
