1. This is what the Lord says:Where is your mother’s divorce certificatethat I used to send her away? Or who were My creditors that I sold you to? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put awaybecause of your transgressions.
2. Why was no one there when I came?Why was there no one to answer when I called?Is My hand too short to redeem? Or do I have no power to deliver?Look, I dry up the sea by My rebuke; I turn the rivers into a wilderness;their fish rot because of lack of waterand die of thirst.
3. I dress the heavens in blackand make sackcloth their clothing.
4. The Lord God has given Methe tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word.He awakens Me each morning;He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.
5. The Lord God has opened My ear,and I was not rebellious;I did not turn back.