Add parallel Print Page Options

[a]The Lord God has given me
    a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to answer the weary
    a word that will waken them.
Morning after morning
    he wakens my ear to hear as disciples do;
The Lord God opened my ear;
    I did not refuse,
    did not turn away.[b]
I gave my back to those who beat me,
    my cheeks to those who tore out my beard;[c]
My face I did not hide
    from insults and spitting.(A)

The Lord God is my help,
    therefore I am not disgraced;
Therefore I have set my face like flint,
    knowing that I shall not be put to shame.(B)
He who declares my innocence is near.
    Who will oppose me?
    Let us appear together.
Who will dispute my right?
    Let them confront me.
See, the Lord God is my help;
    who will declare me guilty?
See, they will all wear out like a garment,
    consumed by moths.(C)
10 Who among you fears the Lord,[d]
    heeds his servant’s voice?
Whoever walk in darkness,
    without any light,
Yet trust in the name of the Lord
    and rely upon their God!(D)
11 All you who kindle flames
    and set flares alight,
Walk by the light of your own fire
    and by the flares you have burnt!
This is your fate from my hand:
    you shall lie down in a place of torment.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 50:4–11 The third of the four “servant of the Lord” oracles (cf. note on 42:1–4); in vv. 4–9 the servant speaks; in vv. 10–11 God addresses the people directly.
  2. 50:5 The servant, like a well-trained disciple, does not refuse the divine vocation.
  3. 50:6 He willingly submits to insults and beatings. Tore out my beard: a grave and painful insult.
  4. 50:10–11 The Lord offers a choice to those who walk in darkness: either trust in the true light (v. 10), or walk in their false light and suffer the consequences.

The Sovereign Lord(A) has given me a well-instructed tongue,(B)
    to know the word that sustains the weary.(C)
He wakens me morning by morning,(D)
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.(E)
The Sovereign Lord(F) has opened my ears;(G)
    I have not been rebellious,(H)
    I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat(I) me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;(J)
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.(K)
Because the Sovereign Lord(L) helps(M) me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,(N)
    and I know I will not be put to shame.(O)
He who vindicates(P) me is near.(Q)
    Who then will bring charges against me?(R)
    Let us face each other!(S)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord(T) who helps(U) me.
    Who will condemn(V) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths(W) will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears(X) the Lord
    and obeys(Y) the word of his servant?(Z)
Let the one who walks in the dark,
    who has no light,(AA)
trust(AB) in the name of the Lord
    and rely on their God.
11 But now, all you who light fires
    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,(AC)
go, walk in the light of your fires(AD)
    and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:(AE)
    You will lie down in torment.(AF)

Read full chapter