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¹ Thus says Yahweh, Where is the bill 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? Look, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was put away.² Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can't redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Look, 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.³ I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

⁴ The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those that are taught.⁵ The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.⁶ I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those that plucked off the hair; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.⁷ For the Lord Yahweh 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.⁸ He is near that justifies me; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is my adversary? let him come near to me.⁹ Look, the Lord Yahweh will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? look, they shall all wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.

¹⁰ Who is among you that fears Yahweh, that obeys the voice of his slave? he that walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely on his God.¹¹ Look, all you that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled. This you shall have of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.