Isaiah 50 – NIV & NIRV

New International Version

Isaiah 50:1-11

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

1This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce

with which I sent her away?

Or to which of my creditors

did I sell you?

Because of your sins you were sold;

because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2When I came, why was there no one?

When I called, why was there no one to answer?

Was my arm too short to deliver you?

Do I lack the strength to rescue you?

By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,

I turn rivers into a desert;

their fish rot for lack of water

and die of thirst.

3I clothe the heavens with darkness

and make sackcloth its covering.”

4The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

5The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;

I have not been rebellious,

I have not turned away.

6I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.

7Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint,

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8He who vindicates me is near.

Who then will bring charges against me?

Let us face each other!

Who is my accuser?

Let him confront me!

9It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.

Who will condemn me?

They will all wear out like a garment;

the moths will eat them up.

10Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys the word of his servant?

Let the one who walks in the dark,

who has no light,

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on their God.

11But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

You will lie down in torment.

New International Reader’s Version

Isaiah 50:1-11

Israel Sins but the Lord’s Servant Obeys

1The Lord says to the people in Jerusalem,

“Do you think I divorced your people who lived before you?

Is that why I sent them away?

If it is, show me the letter of divorce.

I did not sell you into slavery to pay someone I owe.

You were sold because you sinned against me.

Your people were sent away because of their lawless acts.

2When I came to save you, why didn’t anyone welcome me?

When I called out to you, why didn’t anyone answer me?

Wasn’t I powerful enough to set you free?

Wasn’t I strong enough to save you?

I dry up the sea with a single command.

I turn rivers into a desert.

Then fish rot because they do not have any water.

They die because they are thirsty.

3I make the sky turn dark.

It looks as if it’s dressed in clothing sad people wear.”

4The Lord and King has taught me what to say.

He has taught me how to help those who are tired.

He wakes me up every morning.

He makes me want to listen like a good student.

5The Lord and King has unplugged my ears.

I’ve always obeyed him.

I haven’t turned away from him.

6I let my enemies beat me on my bare back.

I let them pull the hair out of my beard.

I didn’t turn my face away

when they made fun of me and spit on me.

7The Lord and King helps me.

He won’t let me be dishonored.

So I’ve made up my mind to keep on serving him.

I know he won’t let me be put to shame.

8He is near. He will prove I haven’t done anything wrong.

So who will bring charges against me?

Let’s face each other in court!

Who can bring charges against me?

Let him come and face me!

9The Lord and King helps me.

So who will judge me?

My enemies will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.

My enemies will disappear.

10Does anyone among you have respect for the Lord?

Does anyone obey the message of the Lord’s servant?

Let the person who walks in the dark

trust in the Lord.

Let the one who doesn’t have any light to guide them

depend on their God.

11But all you sinners who light fires

should go ahead and walk in their light.

You who carry flaming torches

should walk in their light.

Here’s what I’m going to do to you.

I’ll make you lie down in great pain.