‘Why have we (A)fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not [a]notice?’
Behold, on the (B)day of your fast you find your desire,
And oppress all your workers.
Behold, you fast for contention and (C)strife, and to strike with a wicked fist.
You do not fast like you have done today to (D)make your voice heard on high!
Is it a fast like this that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it for bowing [b]one’s head like a reed
And for spreading out (E)sackcloth and ashes as a bed?
Will you call this a fast, even an (F)acceptable day to the Lord?
Is this not the fast that I choose:
To (G)release the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the ropes of the yoke,
And to (H)let the oppressed go free,
And (I)break every yoke?
Is it not to (J)break your bread [c]with the hungry
And (K)bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the (L)naked, to cover him;
And not to (M)hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your (N)light will break out like the dawn,
And your (O)recovery will spring up quickly;
And your (P)righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the (Q)Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will (R)call, and the Lord will answer;
You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you (S)remove the yoke from your midst,
The [d](T)pointing of the finger and (U)speaking wickedness,
10 And if you (V)offer yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the [e]need of the afflicted,
Then your (W)light will rise in darkness,
And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the (X)Lord will continually guide you,
And (Y)satisfy your [f]desire in scorched places,
And (Z)give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a (AA)watered garden,
And like a (AB)spring of water whose waters do not [g]fail.
12 Those from among you will (AC)rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will (AD)raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the (AE)breach,
The restorer of the [h]streets in which to dwell.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 58:3 Lit know
  2. Isaiah 58:5 Lit his
  3. Isaiah 58:7 Lit for
  4. Isaiah 58:9 I.e., an abusive gesture
  5. Isaiah 58:10 Or soul
  6. Isaiah 58:11 Or soul
  7. Isaiah 58:11 Or deceive
  8. Isaiah 58:12 Lit paths

Bible Gateway Recommends