Isaiah 50

The Lord’s Power To Punish

1 *Ba 4.6. The Lord says, "Children,

I didn’t divorce your mother

or sell you to pay debts;

I divorced her and sold you

because of your sins.

2 I came and called out,

but you didn’t answer.

Have I lost my power

to rescue and save?

At my command oceans and rivers

turn into deserts;

fish rot and stink

for lack of water.

3 I make the sky turn dark

like the sackcloth

you wear at funerals."

God’s Servant Must Suffer

4 The Lord God gives me

the right words

to encourage the weary.

Each morning he awakens me

eager to learn his teaching;

5 he made me willing to listen

and not rebel or run away.

6 *Mt 26.67;Mk 14.65. I let them beat my back

and pull out my beard.

I didn’t turn aside

when they insulted me

and spit in my face.

7 But the Lord God keeps me

from being disgraced.

So I refuse to give up,

because I know

God will never let me down.

8 *Ro 8.33,34. My protector is nearby;

no one can stand here

to accuse me of wrong.

9 The Lord God will help me

and prove I am innocent.

My accusers will wear out

like moth-eaten clothes.

10 None of you respect the Lord

or obey his servant.

You walk in the dark

instead of the light;

you don’t trust the name

of the Lord your God.*50.10 God: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 10.

11 Go ahead and walk in the light

of the fires you have set.*50.11 Go … set: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

But with his own hand,

the Lord will punish you

and make you suffer.