English Standard Version ESV
Common English Bible CEB
1 Thus says the Lord: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
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The LORD says: Where's your mother's divorce decree, with which I sent her away? Or to which lender did I sell you? On account of your sins you were sold; on account of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
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Why did I come and find no one? Why did I call when no one answered? Is my hand too small to redeem you? Don't I have enough power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea and make the rivers into wilderness. Their fish stink from lack of water; they die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering. ”
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I clothe the heavens with darkness and cover them with funeral clothing.
4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
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The LORD God gave me an educated tongue to know how to respond to the weary with a word that will awaken them in the morning. God awakens my ear in the morning to listen, as educated people do.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
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The LORD God opened my ear; I didn't rebel; I didn't turn my back.
6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
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Instead, I gave my body to attackers, and my cheeks to beard pluckers. I didn't hide my face from insults and spitting.
7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
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The LORD God will help me; therefore, I haven't been insulted. Therefore, I set my face like flint, and knew I wouldn't be ashamed.
8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
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The one who will declare me innocent is near. Who will argue with me? Let's stand up together. Who will bring judgment against me? Let him approach me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
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Look! The LORD God will help me. Who will condemn me? Look, they will wear out like clothing; the moth will eat them.
10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
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Who among you fears the LORD? Who listens to the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light? They will trust in the LORD's name, and rely upon their God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.
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Look! All of you are kindling fire, igniting torches. Walk by the light of your fire, by the torches you have ignited. This is what will happen to you by my hand: you will lie down in grief.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible