Israel’s Sin

1Thus says YHWH:

“Where is this certificate of divorce of your⁺ mother,

whom I have sent away?

Or which of My creditors—

whom did I sell you⁺ to him?

Behold, by your⁺ iniquities you⁺ have sold yourselves,

and by your⁺ transgressions your⁺ mother has been sent away.

2Why, did I come, and there was no man?

Why did I call, and there was no one answering?

Is My hand too short to redeem?

Or is there not in Me power to deliver?

Behold, by My rebuke I dry up the sea;

I make the rivers a desert—

their fish stink for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3I clothe the heavens with blackness,

and I make sackcloth their covering.”

The Servant’s Obedience
(Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)

4The Lord YHWH has given to me

the tongue of the learned,

knowing to help the weary with a word.

He awakens me morning by morning;

He awakens for me the ear to hear like the learned ones.

5The Lord YHWH has opened for me the ear,

and I have not been rebellious;

and I have not turned back.

6I gave My back to those striking,

and My cheeks to those plucking out;

I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7And the Lord YHWH will give help to me;

upon thus I have not been disgraced;

upon thus I have set my face like flint,

and I know that I will not be put to shame.

8The One vindicating me is near—

who will contend with Me?

Let us stand against one another!

Who is the master of my case?

Let him come near to me!

9Behold, the Lord YHWH gives help to me.

Who is he who will condemn Me?

Behold, they will all wear out like a garment,

the moth will devour them.

10Who among you⁺ fears YHWH,

listening to the voice of His Servant,

who has walked in darkness,

and there is no no brightness unto him?

Let him trust in the name of YHWH,

and lean on his God.

11Behold, all of you⁺ kindling a fire,

girding on firebrands—

walk in the light of your⁺ fire,

and of the firebrands you⁺ have kindled!

This is for you⁺ from My hand;

you⁺ will lie down in a place of torment.