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 your 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 weak ⁵  to deliver ⁶  you?

Do I lack the power to rescue you?

Look, with a mere shout ⁷  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.”

50:4 The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, ⁹ 

so that I know how to help 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 I am steadfastly resolved; 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 obeys ¹⁸  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 who equip yourselves with ²⁰  flaming arrows, ²¹ 

walk ²²  in the light ²³  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