1 Thus says the LORD, “Where is the bill of divorcement that I gave to your congregation, that she is cast off? Or who is the creditor to whom I sold you? Look, for your sins you were sold, and for your rebellion your congregation was put away. 2 Why, when I sent my prophets, did they not repent? They prophesied, but they did not obey. Is my power altogether deficient, so that I cannot save? Look, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.” 4 The Lord GOD has given me a tongue to teach, to give knowledge and to instruct the righteous with wisdom, those who weary themselves with the words of the Torah; each morning rising up early to send His prophets, so that perhaps the ears of the sinners might be opened and they might receive instruction. 5 The Lord GOD has sent me to prophesy, and I did not refuse, nor turn back. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. 7 The Lord GOD is my helper; therefore I will not be put to shame; therefore I have set my face strong as a rock, and I know that I will not be put to shame. 8 My righteousness is near; who is he that will contend with me? Let us stand forth together; who is my adversary? Let him come near me. 9 See, the Lord GOD is my helper; who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment, like a garment that the moth eats. 10 The prophet said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, will say to all the nations, ‘Who among you fears the LORD, who obeys the voice of His servant the prophet, who keeps the Torah while in distress, like a man who walks in darkness and has no light, trusting in the name of the LORD and relying on the salvation of his God?’” 11 The nations answered and said to him, “O our Lord! it is not possible for us to occupy ourselves with the Torah, because we continually wage war against one another, and when we gain the victory one over the other, we burn their houses with fire and bring their children and their treasures into captivity; in this manner our days are spent, so it is impossible for us to occupy ourselves with the Torah.” The Holy One, blessed be He, answered and said to them, “Behold, all of you who stir up a fire and lay hold on the sword, go, fall into the fire that you have stirred up, and by the sword that you have laid hold on.⁠a This will be to you from my Memra: you will turn to your destruction.”⁠b