¹ So says the LORD, Where is your mother's bill of divorce, whom I have put away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother is put away for your sins.

² Who knows why I have come, and no one is here? I called and no one answered. Is My hand shortened at all so 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 has given Me the tongue of the learned, to know to help the weary with a word. He wakens morning by morning, He wakens the ear to hear as the learned.

⁵ The Lord Jehovah has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious, nor turned away backwards.

⁶ I gave My back to the strikers, and My cheeks to pluckers; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

⁷ For the Lord Jehovah will help Me; therefore I have not been ashamed. On account of this I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

⁸ He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together; who is master of My judgment? Let him come near Me.

⁹ Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help Me; who is he who shall condemn Me? Lo, they all shall wear out like a garment; the moth shall eat them.

¹⁰ Who among you fears the LORD, who obeys the voice of His servant, who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rest on his God.

¹¹ Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who are surrounded with sparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks which you have kindled. This you shall have of My hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.