1 This is what the LORD says: Where is the certificate of divorce for your mother, whom I sent away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Behold, because of your sins, you were sold, and because of your transgressions, your mother was sent away.

Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

2 Why, when I came, was there no one? Why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand too short to redeem? Do I have no power to save? Look, at my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into a desert, so their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Wherefore, 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 stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with darkness and make sackcloth their covering.

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me the tongue of the learned, so that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me morning by morning; He awakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn away.

The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from insults and spitting.

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will bring charges against me? Let us face each other. Who is my accuser? Let him confront me.

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9 Behold, the Sovereign LORD helps me. Who will condemn me? Look, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will devour them.

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the LORD and listens to the voice of his servant? Let the one who walks in darkness, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

11 But look, all of you who light fires and equip yourselves with burning torches, walk in the light of your fire and in the torches you have set ablaze. This you will receive from my hand: you will lie down in torment.

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.