1Thus says Yehovah, Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was put away. 2Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot 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 for thirst. 3I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering. 4The Lord Yehovah has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5The Lord Yehovah has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, nor turned away backward. 6I gave my back to the strikers, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. 7For the Lord Yehovah will help me; therefore I have not been confounded: therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8He who justifies me is near; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is my adversary? let him come near to me. 9Behold, the Lord Yehovah will help me; who is he who shall condemn me? behold, they all shall grow old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 10Who is among you who fears Yehovah, who obeys the voice of his servant? he who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yehovah, and rely upon his God. 11Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled. This you shall have from my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.