1 T hus said Jehovah: `Where this -- the bill of your mother's divorce, Whom I sent away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Lo, for your iniquities ye have been sold, And for your transgressions Hath your mother been sent away.

The Lord says, “Where is the writing of your mother’s divorce, by which I have sent her away? To whom of those who owed Me money did I sell you? See, you were sold for your sins. For your wrong-doing your mother was sent away.

2 W herefore have I come, and there is no one? I called, and there is none answering, Hath My hand been at all short of redemption? And is there not in me power to deliver? Lo, by My rebuke I dry up a sea, I make rivers a wilderness, Their fish stinketh, for there is no water, And dieth with thirst.

Why was there no man when I came? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is My hand so short that it cannot pay for your life? Have I no power to take you out of trouble? See, I dry up the sea with My sharp words. I make the rivers a desert. Their fish smell bad because they do not have enough water, and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens blackness, And sackcloth I make their covering.

I clothe the heavens with darkness. I make cloth made from hair its covering.”

4 T he Lord Jehovah hath given to me The tongue of taught ones, To know to aid the weary a word, He waketh morning by morning, He waketh for me an ear to hear as taught ones.

The Lord God has given Me the tongue of those who follow Him, that I may know how to give strength when I speak to one who is tired. He wakes Me up morning by morning. He wakes up My ear to listen as a follower.

5 T he Lord Jehovah opened for me the ear, And I rebelled not -- backward I moved not.

The Lord God has opened My ear, and I obeyed Him. I did not turn back.

6 M y back I have given to those smiting, And my cheeks to those plucking out, My face I hid not from shame and spitting.

I gave My back to those who hit Me, and My face to those who pull out the hair on my face. I did not cover My face from shame and spit.

7 A nd the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Therefore I have not been ashamed, Therefore I have set my face as a flint, And I know that I am not ashamed.

For the Lord God helps Me, so I am not put to shame. I have set My face like hard stone, and know that I will not be ashamed.

8 N ear He who is justifying me, Who doth contend with me? We stand together, who mine opponent? Let him come nigh unto me.

He Who shows I am right is near. Who will fight with Me? Let us stand up to each other. Who has something against Me? Let him come near to Me.

9 L o, the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Who he that declareth me wicked? Lo, all of them as a garment wear out, A moth doth eat them.

See, the Lord God helps Me. Who will say that I am guilty? See, they will all wear out like a piece of clothing. The moth will eat them.

10 W ho among you, fearing Jehovah, Hearkening to the voice of His servant, That hath walked in dark places, And there is no brightness for him? Let him trust in the name of Jehovah, And lean upon his God.

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of His Servant, yet walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and have faith in his God.

11 L o, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this been to you, In grief ye lie down!

See, all you who start a fire and put fire all around you! Walk in the light of your fire and among the pieces of wood you have started to burn. You will receive this from My hand: You will lie down in much suffering.