⁵ Is this the kind of fast^(A) I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble^(B) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed^(C)
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?^(D)
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting^(E) I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice^(F)
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed^(G) free
    and break every yoke?^(H)
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry^(I)
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter^(J)—
when you see the naked, to clothe^(K) them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?^(L)
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,^(M)
    and your healing^(N) will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a](O) will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.^(P)
9 Then you will call,^(Q) and the Lord will answer;^(R)
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger^(S) and malicious talk,^(T)
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,^(U)
then your light^(V) will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.^(W)
11 The Lord will guide^(X) you always;
    he will satisfy your needs^(Y) in a sun-scorched land^(Z)
    and will strengthen^(AA) your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,^(AB)
    like a spring^(AC) whose waters never fail.