1. This is what the Lord says: “People of Israel, you say that I divorced your mother, Jerusalem. But where is the legal paper that proves I divorced her? My children, did I owe money to someone? Did I sell you to pay a debt? No, you were sold because of the bad things you did. Your mother was sent away because of the bad things you did.
2. I came home and found no one there. I called and called, but no one answered. Do you think I cannot get you back? Do you think I cannot save you? Look, if I gave the command, the ocean would dry up! I can turn rivers into a desert. The fish would die without water, and their bodies would rot.
3. I can make the skies dark. I can cover the skies in darkness as black as sackcloth.”
4. The Lord GOD gave me the ability to teach, so now I teach these sad people. Every morning he wakes me and teaches me like a student.
5. The Lord GOD helps me learn, and I have not turned against him. I will not stop following him.
6. I will let those people beat me and pull the hair from my beard. I will not hide my face when they say bad things to me and spit at me.
7. The Lord GOD will help me, so the bad things they say will not hurt me. I will be strong. I know I will not be disappointed.
8. God is with me, and he is the one who shows that I am innocent. So no one can say I am guilty. If anyone wants to try to prove me wrong, they should come here, and we will have a trial.