Is this not the fast that I choose:
To (A)release the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the ropes of the yoke,
And to (B)let the oppressed go free,
And (C)break every yoke?
Is it not to (D)break your bread [a]with the hungry
And (E)bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the (F)naked, to cover him;
And not to (G)hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your (H)light will break out like the dawn,
And your (I)recovery will spring up quickly;
And your (J)righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the (K)Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will (L)call, and the Lord will answer;
You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you (M)remove the yoke from your midst,
The [b](N)pointing of the finger and (O)speaking wickedness,
10 And if you (P)offer yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the [c]need of the afflicted,
Then your (Q)light will rise in darkness,
And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the (R)Lord will continually guide you,
And (S)satisfy your [d]desire in scorched places,
And (T)give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a (U)watered garden,
And like a (V)spring of water whose waters do not [e]fail.
12 Those from among you will (W)rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will (X)raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the (Y)breach,
The restorer of the [f]streets in which to dwell.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
    Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
    and a restorer of homes.

Read full chapter