A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me/ a well-trained tongue,/ That I might know how to speak to the weary/ a word that will rouse them./ Morning after morning/ he opens my ear that I may hear;/ And I have not rebelled,/ have not turned back./ I gave my back to those who beat me,/ my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;/ My face I did not shield/ from buffets and spitting.