Isaiah 50:1-3

New International Reader's Version

“Do you think I divorced your people who lived before you?
    Is that why I sent them away?
If it is, show me the letter of divorce.
    I did not sell you into slavery to pay someone I owe.
You were sold because you sinned against me.
    Your people were sent away because of their lawless acts.
² When I came to save you, why didn’t anyone welcome me?
    When I called out to you, why didn’t anyone answer me?
Wasn’t I powerful enough to set you free?
    Wasn’t I strong enough to save you?
I dry up the sea with a single command.
    I turn rivers into a desert.
Then fish rot because they do not have any water.
    They die because they are thirsty.
³ I make the sky turn dark.
    It looks as if it’s dressed in clothing sad people wear.”