1Thus says Yahweh: “Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce, with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, no one answered. Is my hand too short to redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make rivers a wilderness; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
3I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.”
4The Lord Yahweh has given me a tongue of the taught, to know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he awakens, he awakens my ear to hear like the taught.
5The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward.
6I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting.
7But the Lord Yahweh helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.
8He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him approach me.
9Behold, the Lord Yahweh helps me. Who is he that would condemn me? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them.
10Who among you fears Yahweh, obeying the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no brightness? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh and lean upon his God.
11Behold, all of you who kindle a fire, who gird yourselves with firebrands: walk in the light of your fire and among the brands you have set ablaze! This you have from my hand: you will lie down in torment.
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