1. Thus says the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorce, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have you sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother 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 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 stink, because there is no water, and die of thirst.
3. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
4. The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, 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 the learned.
5. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backwards.
6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair: I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.
7. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be disappointed: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8. He is near who justifies me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is my adversary? let him come near to me.
9. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall grow old like a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
10. Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and rely upon his God.
11. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who surround yourselves with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled. This shall you have from my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.