1 Thus 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.
2 Wherefore, 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.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
4 The 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.
5 The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.
6 I 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.
7 For 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.
8 He 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.
9 Behold, 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.
10 Who 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.
11 Behold, 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.