2. “Why did my people fail to respondwhen I went to them to save them?Why did they not answer when I called?Am I too weak to save them?I can dry up the sea with a commandand turn rivers into a desert,so that the fish in them die for lack of water.
3. I can make the sky turn dark,as if it were in mourning for the dead.”
4. The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say,so that I can strengthen the weary.Every morning he makes me eagerto hear what he is going to teach me.
5. The Lord has given me understanding,and I have not rebelledor turned away from him.
6. I bared my back to those who beat me.I did not stop them when they insulted me,when they pulled out the hairs of my beardand spat in my face.
7. But their insults cannot hurt mebecause the Sovereign Lord gives me help.I brace myself to endure them.I know that I will not be disgraced,
8. for God is near,and he will prove me innocent.Does anyone dare to bring charges against me?Let us go to court together!Let him bring his accusation!