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Israel Was Punished for Its Sin

50 This is what the Lord says:

“People of Israel, you say I divorced your mother.
    Then where is the paper that proves it?
Or do you think I sold you
    to pay a debt?
Because of the evil things you did, I sold you.
    Because of the times she turned against me, your mother was sent away.
I came home and found no one there;
    I called, but no one answered.
Do you think I am not able to save you?
    Do I not have the power to save you?
Look, I need only to shout and the sea becomes dry.
    I change rivers into a desert,
and their fish rot because there is no water;
    they die of thirst.
I can make the skies dark;
    I can make them black like clothes of sadness.”

God’s Servant Obeys

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach
    so that I know what to say to make the weak strong.
Every morning he wakes me.
    He teaches me to listen like a student.
The Lord God helps me learn,
    and I have not turned against him
    nor stopped following him.
I offered my back to those who beat me.
    I offered my cheeks to those who pulled my beard.
I won’t hide my face from them
    when they make fun of me and spit at me.
The Lord God helps me,
    so I will not be ashamed.
I will be determined,
    and I know I will not be disgraced.
He shows that I am innocent, and he is close to me.
    So who can accuse me?
    If there is someone, let us go to court together.
If someone wants to prove I have done wrong,
    he should come and tell me.
Look! It is the Lord God who helps me.
    So who can prove me guilty?
Look! All those who try will become useless like old clothes;
    moths will eat them.

10 Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
That person may walk in the dark
    and have no light.
Then let him trust in the Lord
    and yet depend on his God.
11 But instead, some of you want to light your own fires
    and make your own light.
So, go, walk in the light of your fires,
    and trust your own light to guide you.
But this is what you will receive from me:
    You will lie down in a place of pain.

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

50 This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce(A)
    with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
    did I sell(B) you?
Because of your sins(C) you were sold;(D)
    because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
When I came, why was there no one?
    When I called, why was there no one to answer?(E)
Was my arm too short(F) to deliver you?
    Do I lack the strength(G) to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke(H) I dry up the sea,(I)
    I turn rivers into a desert;(J)
their fish rot for lack of water
    and die of thirst.
I clothe the heavens with darkness(K)
    and make sackcloth(L) its covering.”

The Sovereign Lord(M) has given me a well-instructed tongue,(N)
    to know the word that sustains the weary.(O)
He wakens me morning by morning,(P)
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.(Q)
The Sovereign Lord(R) has opened my ears;(S)
    I have not been rebellious,(T)
    I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat(U) me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;(V)
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.(W)
Because the Sovereign Lord(X) helps(Y) me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,(Z)
    and I know I will not be put to shame.(AA)
He who vindicates(AB) me is near.(AC)
    Who then will bring charges against me?(AD)
    Let us face each other!(AE)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord(AF) who helps(AG) me.
    Who will condemn(AH) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths(AI) will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears(AJ) the Lord
    and obeys(AK) the word of his servant?(AL)
Let the one who walks in the dark,
    who has no light,(AM)
trust(AN) in the name of the Lord
    and rely on their God.
11 But now, all you who light fires
    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,(AO)
go, walk in the light of your fires(AP)
    and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:(AQ)
    You will lie down in torment.(AR)