1. This is what the Lord says:‘Where is your mother’s certificate of divorcewith which I sent her away?Or to which of my creditorsdid I sell you?Because of your sins you were sold;because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2. When 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 waterand die of thirst.
3. I clothe the heavens with darknessand make sackcloth its covering.’
4. The 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.