Isaiah 50

1 This is what the LORD [Yehovah] says: “Where [in what location, how] is your mother’s [female parent, maternal figure] certificate of divorce [bill of divorcement, separation agreement] with which I sent her away [put her away, divorced her]? Or to which of My creditors [those to whom I owe, lenders] did I sell you [give you over, surrender]? Look [behold, see], you were sold [given over, surrendered] for your iniquities [moral evil, sin], and for your transgressions [rebellion, disobedience] your mother was sent away [put away, divorced]. word study 2 Why [for what reason, on account of what] was no one [no man, no person] there when I arrived [came, appeared]? Why [on what account, for what cause] did no one [none] answer [respond, give an answer] when I called [summoned, invoked]? Is My hand [My power, My strength] too short [limited, weak] to redeem [deliver, set free] you? Or do I lack [am I without, do I not have] the strength [power, might] to deliver [rescue, save] you? Behold [look, see], My rebuke [stern warning, correction] dries up [makes dry, withers] the sea [the ocean, the deep]; I turn [change, transform] the rivers [the streams, the waters] into a desert [a wilderness, a dry land]; the fish [the aquatic creatures] rot [stink, become foul] for lack of water [due to no water, because of drought] and die [perish, come to an end] of thirst [from lack of water, due to dehydration]. word study 3 I [cause to be dressed] clothe the heavens [the visible universe, the abode of God] in black [darkness, gloom] and make sackcloth [a coarse cloth, mourning attire] their covering [a garment, a robe of humility].” word study 4 The Lord [Adonay, the sovereign Master] GOD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] has given Me the tongue [language, the power of speech] of discipleship [those who are taught, instructed], to sustain [to support, to comfort] the weary [exhausted, fatigued] with a word [a message, a teaching]. He awakens [rouses, stirs] Me morning [at the break of day] by morning; He awakens [rouses, stirs] My ear [the ability to hear] to listen [to hear, to obey] as a disciple [one who is taught, a learner]. word study 5 The Lord [Adonay, a title of reverence] GOD [Yehovah] has opened [to engrave or carve, as in spiritual awakening] My ears, and I have not been [in a state of] rebellious [to resist or disobey authority], nor have I turned [to turn back or go back, implying apostasy] back [to a previous state or direction]. word study 6 I offered My back [to smiters] to those who struck Me, and My cheeks [jaw, the jawbone] to those who tore out My beard [plucked off the hair, smoothed my face]. I did not hide [conceal, keep secret] My face [presence, being in front of someone] from scorn [shame, disgrace, reproach] and spittle [spit, saliva]. word study 7 Because the Lord [Adonay, the sovereign Master] GOD [Yehovah] helps [to aid, assist, or support] Me, I have not been [completely or utterly] disgraced [humiliated, shamed, or put to shame]; therefore I have set [to place, fix, or establish] My face [presence, countenance, or person] like [as hard as, similar to] flint [a hard, unyielding rock], and I know [to perceive, understand, or be aware] that I will not be put to shame [disgraced, humiliated, or ashamed]. word study 8 The One who vindicates [justifies, declares righteous] Me is near [close at hand, in a special relationship]. Who will dare to contend [stand in opposition, argue] with Me? Let us confront [stand together, face each other] each other! Who has a case [a charge, an accusation] against Me? Let him approach [come near, draw close to] Me! word study 9 Surely the Lord [Adonay, the sovereign Master] GOD [Yehovah] helps [to aid, assist, or support] Me. Who [what person, which one] is there to condemn [to declare guilty, pronounce judgment] Me? See [look, behold], they will all [everything, every person] wear out [become old, decay] like a garment [a robe, clothing]; the moths [insects that eat away] will devour [to eat, consume] them. word study 10 Who among you fears [has reverence for, respects] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and obeys [listens to, heeds] the voice [sound, utterance] of His Servant? Who among you walks [goes, journeys] in darkness [a time of sadness, trouble] and has no [lacks, is without] light [brightness, understanding]? Let him trust [have confidence, faith] in the name [identity, character] of the LORD; let him lean [rest, rely] on his God [Elohim, the supreme Being]. word study 11 Behold [look, take notice], all you who kindle [start, ignite] a fire [burning, flame], who array [surround, gird] yourselves with firebrands [burning torches, sparks], walk in the light [radiance, illumination] of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit [set ablaze, ignited]! This is what you will receive from My hand [power, direction]: You will lie down [rest, sleep] in a place of torment [sorrow, grief]. word study