Isaiah 50

1Thus 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.

1The Lord says: Where is your mother’s divorce paper that I used to send her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold because of your own sins, and your mother was sent away because of your own rebellions.

2Wherefore, 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.

2Why was no one there when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my arm too short to rescue you? Do I lack the power to deliver you? Look, with a mere command I dry up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert. Their fish rot because there is no water, and they die of thirst.

3I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

3I dress the heavens in darkness and make sackcloth their covering.

4The 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.

4The Lord Jehovah has given me the tongue of a teacher, so that I know how to encourage the weary with a word. He wakes me up morning after morning; he opens my ears to listen like a student.

5The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.

5The Lord Jehovah has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I did not turn away.

6I 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.

6I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

7For 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.

7Because the Lord Jehovah helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

8The one who declares me innocent is near. Who dares to argue with me? Let us stand together in court. Who is my accuser? Let him come near to me.

9Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? behold, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

9Look, the Lord Jehovah helps me; who will condemn me? Look, they will all wear out like old clothes; the moth will eat them up.

10Who 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.

10Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

11Behold, 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.

11But look, all of you who light your own fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches: go, walk in the light of your own fires and among the torches you have lit. This is what you will receive from my hand: you will lie down in total sorrow.