Read Isaiah 50 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Isaiah 50 focuses on the Lord's Servant, who faithfully obeys God despite rejection, suffering, and opposition. God declares that Israel's separation from Him was caused by their own sin, not by any lack of His power to save. The Servant listens attentively to God, speaks words that strengthen the weary, and remains obedient even when facing humiliation and abuse. Because the Lord helps Him, He stands firm and is not put to shame. The chapter concludes by contrasting those who trust in the Lord with those who rely on their own light and wisdom, warning that self-reliance ultimately leads to sorrow.
Isaiah 50:1 - 50:11
1 Thus saith the Lord, Where [is] the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
2 Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to [him that is] weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8 [He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord God will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
10 Who [is] among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.