Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience
1
Thus says the LORD: "Where is 1your mother's certificate of divorce, with which 2I sent her away? Or 3which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? 4Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
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5Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? 6Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? 7Behold, by my rebuke 8I dry up the sea, 9I make the rivers a desert; 10their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
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The Lord GOD has given 12me the tongue of those who are taught, that 13I may know how to sustain with a word 14him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
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17I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
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But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; 18therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
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19He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
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20Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)