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They[a] seek me day after day,[b]
    and are eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practices righteousness
    and has not forsaken the justice of their God.

“They ask me to reveal just decisions;
    they are eager to draw near to God.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they ask,[c]
    ‘but you do not see?
‘Why have we humbled ourselves,’[d] they ask,[e]
    ‘but you take no notice?’”

Fasting that God Approves

“Look! On your fast day you serve your own interest
    and oppress all your workers.

“Look! You fast only for quarreling, and for[f] fighting,
    and for hitting with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and have your voice heard on high.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 58:2 So 1QIsaa 1QIsab 4QIsad LXX; MT reads And they
  2. Isaiah 58:2 Lit. me day and day; so 1QIsaa; 1QIsab 4QIsad MT read me day, day
  3. Isaiah 58:3 1QIsaa 1QIsab 4QIsad LXX MT lack they ask
  4. Isaiah 58:3 So 1QIsaa 1QIsab LXX; MT reads ourself
  5. Isaiah 58:3 1QIsaa 1QIsab 4QIsad LXX MT lack they ask
  6. Isaiah 58:4 So 1QIsab 1QIsaa; MT LXX lack for

For day after day they seek(A) me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken(B) the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near(C) them.
‘Why have we fasted,’(D) they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled(E) ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’(F)

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please(G)
    and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,(H)
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard(I) on high.

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