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 . 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 . 3I clothe the heavens with blackness , and I make sackcloth their covering .
God's Sovereignty and Deliverance
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 . 5The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious , neither turned away backward. 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 .
The Response of the Servant
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 . 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 .