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Israel Sins but the Lord’s Servant Obeys

50 The Lord says to the people in Jerusalem,

“Do you think I divorced your people who lived before you?
    Is that why I sent them away?
If it is, show me the letter of divorce.
    I did not sell you into slavery to pay someone I owe.
You were sold because you sinned against me.
    Your people were sent away because of their lawless acts.
When I came to save you, why didn’t anyone welcome me?
    When I called out to you, why didn’t anyone answer me?
Wasn’t I powerful enough to set you free?
    Wasn’t I strong enough to save you?
I dry up the sea with a single command.
    I turn rivers into a desert.
Then fish rot because they do not have any water.
    They die because they are thirsty.
I make the sky turn dark.
    It looks as if it’s dressed in clothing sad people wear.”

The Lord and King has taught me what to say.
    He has taught me how to help those who are tired.
He wakes me up every morning.
    He makes me want to listen like a good student.
The Lord and King has unplugged my ears.
    I’ve always obeyed him.
    I haven’t turned away from him.
I let my enemies beat me on my bare back.
    I let them pull the hair out of my beard.
I didn’t turn my face away
    when they made fun of me and spit on me.
The Lord and King helps me.
    He won’t let me be dishonored.
So I’ve made up my mind to keep on serving him.
    I know he won’t let me be put to shame.
He is near. He will prove I haven’t done anything wrong.
    So who will bring charges against me?
    Let’s face each other in court!
Who can bring charges against me?
    Let him come and face me!
The Lord and King helps me.
    So who will judge me?
My enemies will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.
    My enemies will disappear.

10 Does anyone among you have respect for the Lord?
    Does anyone obey the message of the Lord’s servant?
Let the person who walks in the dark
    trust in the Lord.
Let the one who doesn’t have any light to guide them
    depend on their God.
11 But all you sinners who light fires
    should go ahead and walk in their light.
You who carry flaming torches
    should walk in their light.
Here’s what I’m going to do to you.
    I’ll make you lie down in great pain.

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

50 This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce(A)
    with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
    did I sell(B) you?
Because of your sins(C) you were sold;(D)
    because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
When I came, why was there no one?
    When I called, why was there no one to answer?(E)
Was my arm too short(F) to deliver you?
    Do I lack the strength(G) to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke(H) I dry up the sea,(I)
    I turn rivers into a desert;(J)
their fish rot for lack of water
    and die of thirst.
I clothe the heavens with darkness(K)
    and make sackcloth(L) its covering.”

The Sovereign Lord(M) has given me a well-instructed tongue,(N)
    to know the word that sustains the weary.(O)
He wakens me morning by morning,(P)
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.(Q)
The Sovereign Lord(R) has opened my ears;(S)
    I have not been rebellious,(T)
    I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat(U) me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;(V)
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.(W)
Because the Sovereign Lord(X) helps(Y) me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,(Z)
    and I know I will not be put to shame.(AA)
He who vindicates(AB) me is near.(AC)
    Who then will bring charges against me?(AD)
    Let us face each other!(AE)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord(AF) who helps(AG) me.
    Who will condemn(AH) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths(AI) will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears(AJ) the Lord
    and obeys(AK) the word of his servant?(AL)
Let the one who walks in the dark,
    who has no light,(AM)
trust(AN) in the name of the Lord
    and rely on their God.
11 But now, all you who light fires
    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,(AO)
go, walk in the light of your fires(AP)
    and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:(AQ)
    You will lie down in torment.(AR)