The Obedient Servant

The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are instructed(A)
to know how to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens me each morning;
he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed.(B)
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I did not turn back.(C)
I gave my back to those who beat me,
and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard.
I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting.(D)

The Lord God will help me;
therefore I have not been humiliated;
therefore I have set my face like flint,(E)
and I know I will not be put to shame.
The one who vindicates me is near;(F)
who will contend with me?
Let us confront each other.[a]
Who has a case against me?[b]
Let him come near me!

In truth, the Lord God will help me;
who will condemn me?(G)
Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment;
a moth will devour them.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 50:8 Lit us stand
  2. 50:8 Lit Who is lord of my judgment

The Servant’s Vindication

The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of a pupil,
    to know how to help the weary with a word.
He awakens morning by morning,[a]
    awakens an ear for me to listen as do the pupils.
The Lord Yahweh has opened an ear for me,
    and I, I was not rebellious.
I did not turn backwards;
    I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;[b]
    I did not hide my face from insults and spittle.

And the Lord Yahweh helps me,

therefore I have not been put to shame;
    therefore I have set my face like flint.
And I know that I shall not be ashamed;
    he who obtains rights for me is near.
Who will contend with me? Let us stand together.
    Who is the master of my judgment? Let him approach me.
Look! The Lord Yahweh helps me.
    Who is the one who will declare me guilty?
Look! All of them will be worn out like a garment;
    the moth will eat them.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 50:4 Literally “in the morning in the morning”
  2. Isaiah 50:6 Literally “face”

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

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