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.

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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

“Is this not the fast which I choose,
To (A)loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to (B)let the oppressed go free
And (C)break every yoke?
“Is it not to (D)divide 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 speedily spring forth;
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, 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 [c](P)give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the [d]desire 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 [e]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 [f]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 [g]streets in which to dwell.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 58:7 Lit for
  2. Isaiah 58:9 Lit sending out
  3. Isaiah 58:10 Lit furnish
  4. Isaiah 58:10 Or soul
  5. Isaiah 58:11 Or soul
  6. Isaiah 58:11 Or deceive
  7. Isaiah 58:12 Lit paths