Isaiah 58:5-9

New International Version

⁵Is 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)
⁷Is 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)
⁸Then 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)
⁹Then 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)

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Footnotes

Isaiah 58:8 Or your righteous One

Matthew 5:15-20

New International Version

¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.^(A) ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others,^(B) that they may see your good deeds^(C) and glorify^(D) your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.^(E) ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.^(F) ¹⁹Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands^(G) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.^(H)