Israel's Sin
1Thus saiththe LORD,Where [is] the billof your mother'sdivorcement,whom I have put away?or which of my creditors[is it] to whom I have soldyou? Behold, for your iniquitieshave ye soldyourselves, and for your transgressionsis your motherput away.
2Wherefore, when I came,[was there] no man?when I called,[was there] none to answer?Is my handshortenedat all,that it cannot redeem?or have I no powerto deliver?behold, at my rebukeI dry upthe sea,I makethe riversa wilderness:their fishstinketh,because [there is] no water,and diethfor thirst.
3I clothethe heavenswith blackness,and I makesackcloththeir covering.
The Servant's Obedience
(Matthew 27:27-31;Mark 15:16-20;Luke 22:63-65;John 19:1-15)
4The LordGODhath givenme the tongueof the learned,that I should knowhow to speaka wordin season to [him that is] weary:he wakenethmorningby morning,he wakenethmine earto hearas the learned.
5The LordGODhath openedmine ear,and I was not rebellious,neither turned awayback.
6I gavemy backto the smiters,and my cheeksto them that plucked offthe hair: I hidnot my facefrom shameand spitting.
7For the LordGODwill helpme; therefore shall I not be confounded:therefore have I setmy facelike a flint,and I knowthat I shall not be ashamed.
8[He is] nearthat justifiethme; who will contendwith me? let us standtogether:who [is] mine adversary?let him come nearto me.
9Behold, the LordGODwill helpme; who [is] he [that] shall condemnme? lo, they all shall wax oldas a garment;the mothshall eat them up.
10Who [is] among you that feareththe LORD,that obeyeththe voiceof his servant,that walketh[in] darkness,and hath no light?let him trustin the nameof the LORD,and stayupon his God.
11Behold, all ye that kindlea fire,that compass [yourselves] aboutwith sparks:walkin the lightof your fire,and in the sparks[that] ye have kindled.This shall ye have of mine hand;ye shall lie downin sorrow.
