50:1 This is what the LORD says,
“Where is your mother’s divorce certificate,
by which I divorced her?
Or, to which of my creditors did I sell you?1
Look, you were sold because of our sins,2
because of your rebellious acts I divorced your mother.3
50:2 Why does no one challenge me when I come?
Why does no one respond when I call?4
Is my hand too weak5
to deliver6
you?
Do I lack the power to rescue you?
Look, with a mere shout7
I can dry up the sea,
I can turn streams into a desert,
so the fish rot away and die
from lack of water.8
50:3 I can clothe the sky in darkness,
I can cover it with sackcloth.”
The Servant Perseveres
50:4 The sovereign LORD has given me the capacity
to be his spokesman,9
so that I know how to respond kindly to the weary.10
He wakes me up every morning,
he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.11
50:5 The sovereign LORD has spoken to me clearly;12
I have not rebelled,
I have not turned back.
50:6 I offered my back to those who attacked,13
my jaws to those who tore out my beard;
I did not hide my face,
from insults and spitting.
50:7 But the sovereign LORD helps me,
so I am not humiliated.
For that reason my face is firm,14
I know I will not be put to shame.
50:8 The one who vindicates me is close by.
Who dares to argue with me? Let us confront each other!15
Who is my accuser?16
Let him challenge me!17
50:9 Look, the sovereign LORD helps me.
Who dares to condemn me?
Look, all of them will wear out like clothes,
a moth will eat away at them.
50:10 Who among you fears the LORD?
Who obeys18
his servant?
Whoever walks in deep darkness,19
without light,
should trust in the name of the LORD,
and rely on his God.
50:11 Look, all of you who start a fire,
and light20
flaming arrows,21
walk22
in the light23
of the fire you started,
and among the flaming arrows you ignited!24
This is what you will receive from me:25
You will lie down in a place of pain.26