The Lord my God has given me the language of disciples,

so that I can, with a word,

to support the one who is exhausted.

Every morning, he wakes up,

it awakens my ear

so that, as a disciple, I may listen.

The Lord my God has opened my ear,

And I did not revolt.

I did not back down.

I presented my back to those who were hitting me,

and my cheeks to those who were tearing out my beard.

I did not hide my face in the face of insults and spitting.

The Lord my God comes to my aid;

That is why I am unaffected by the insults.

That is why I have made my face as hard as stone:

I know I won't be confused.

He is near, the One who justifies me.

Does anyone want to plead against me?

Let's compare them together!

Does someone want to sue me?

Let him come towards me!

Behold the Lord my God, he defends me;

Who then will condemn me?

Isaiah 50:4-9a