Dual Panel1THUS SAYS the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's divorce with which I put her away, O Israel? Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.
2Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, why was there no one 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 desert; their fish stink because there is no water, and they die of thirst.
3I clothe the heavens with [the] blackness [of murky storm clouds], and I make sackcloth [of mourning] their covering.
4[The Servant of God says] The Lord God has given Me the tongue of a disciple {and} of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught].
5The Lord God has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious or turned backward.
6I gave My back to the smiters and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I hid not My face from shame and spitting.
7For the Lord God helps Me; therefore have I not been ashamed {or} confounded. Therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8He is near Who declares Me in the right. Who will contend with Me? Let us stand forth together! Who is My adversary? Let him come near to Me.
9Behold, the Lord God will help Me; who is he who will condemn Me? Behold, they all will wax old {and} be worn out as a garment; the moth will eat them up.
10Who is among you who [reverently] fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness {and} deep trouble and has no shining splendor [in his heart]? Let him rely on, trust in, {and} be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon {and} be supported by his God.
11Behold, all you [enemies of your own selves] who attempt to kindle your own fires [and work out your own plans of salvation], who surround {and} gird yourselves with momentary sparks, darts, {and} firebrands that you set aflame!--walk by the light of your self-made fire and of the sparks that you have kindled [for yourself, if you will]! But this shall you have from My hand: you shall lie down in grief {and} in torment.