Isaiah 58:7-14

Contemporary English Version

⁸ Then your light will shine
like the dawning sun, and you
    will quickly be healed.
Your honesty^[a] will protect you
    as you advance,
and the glory of the Lord
    will defend you from behind.
⁹ When you beg the Lord for help,
    he will answer, “Here I am!”

Don't mistreat others
or falsely accuse them
    or say something cruel.
¹⁰ Give your food to the hungry
    and care for the homeless.
Then your light will shine
    in the dark;
your darkest hour will be
    like the noonday sun.

¹¹ The Lord will always guide you
and provide good things to eat
    when you are in the desert.
He will make you healthy.
You will be like a garden
    that has plenty of water
or like a stream
    that never runs dry.
¹² You will rebuild those houses
    left in ruins for years;
you will be known
as a builder and repairer
    of city walls and streets.

¹³ But first, you must start
respecting the Sabbath
    as a joyful day of worship.
You must stop doing and saying
whatever you please
    on this special day.
¹⁴ Then you will truly enjoy
    knowing the Lord.
He will let you rule
    from the highest mountains
and bless you with the land
of your ancestor Jacob.
    The Lord has spoken!