Isaiah 50:1-11

  • Israel’s sins cause problems (1-3)

  • Jehovah’s obedient servant (4-11)

    • Tongue and ear of taught ones (4)

50  This is what Jehovah says: “Where is the divorce certificate+ of your mother, whom I sent away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look! It was because of your own errors+ you were sold,And because of your own transgressions your mother was sent away.+   Why, then, was no one here when I came? Why did no one answer when I called?+ Is my hand too short to redeem,Or is there no power in me to rescue?+ Look! With my rebuke I dry up the sea;+I make rivers a desert.+ Their fish rot for lack of water,And they die because of thirst.   I clothe the heavens with gloom,+And I make sackcloth their covering.”   The Sovereign Lord Jehovah has given me the tongue of those taught,*+So that I may know how to answer* the tired one with the right word.*+ He awakens me morning by morning;He awakens my ear to listen like the taught ones.+   The Sovereign Lord Jehovah has opened my ear,And I was not rebellious.+ I did not turn in the opposite direction.+   I offered my back to those striking meAnd my cheeks to those who plucked them bare.* I did not hide my face from humiliating things and from spit.+   But the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will help me.+ That is why I will not feel humiliated. That is why I have set my face like a flint,+And I know that I will not be put to shame.   The One who declares me righteous is near. Who can accuse* me?+ Let us stand up together.* Who has a case against me? Let him approach me.   Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will help me. Who will pronounce me guilty? Look! They will all wear out like a garment. A moth will eat them up. 10  Who among you fears JehovahAnd listens to the voice of his servant?+ Who has walked in deep darkness, without any brightness? Let him trust in the name of Jehovah and support himself on* his God. 11  “Look! All of you who are igniting a fire,Making sparks fly,Walk in the light of your fire,Among the sparks you have set ablaze. This is what you will have from my hand: In sheer pain you will lie down.

Footnotes

Or possibly, “strengthen.”
Lit., “with a word.”
Or “a well-trained tongue.”
Or “who plucked the beard.”
Or “contend with.”
Or “face each other.”
Or “rely on.”