¹The LORD says , “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce , with which I have put her away ?

Or to which of my creditors have I sold you ?

Behold , you were sold for your iniquities ,

and your mother was put away for your transgressions .

²Why , when I came , was there no one ?

When I called , why was there no one to answer ?

Is my hand shortened at all , that it can’t 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 of thirst .

³I clothe the heavens with blackness .

I make sackcloth their covering .”

⁴The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught ,

that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary .

He awakens morning by morning ,

he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught .

⁵The Lord GOD has opened my ear.

I was not rebellious .

I have not turned back .

⁶I gave my back to those who beat me ,

and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair .

I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting .

⁷For the Lord GOD will help me .

Therefore I have not been confounded .

Therefore I have set my face like a flint ,

and I know that I won’t be disappointed.

⁸He who justifies me is near .

Who will bring charges against me ?

Let us stand up together .

Who is my adversary ?

Let him come near to me .

⁹Behold , the Lord GOD will help me !

Who is he who will condemn me ?

Behold , they will all grow old like a garment.

The moths will eat them up .

¹⁰Who amongst you fears the LORD

and obeys the voice of his servant ?

He who walks in darkness

and has no light ,

let him trust in the LORD ’s name ,

and rely on his God .

¹¹Behold , all you who kindle a fire,

who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves ,

walk in the flame of your fire,

and amongst the torches that you have kindled .

You will have this from my hand :

you will lie down in sorrow .