Isn’t this the fast I choose:
To break the chains of wickedness,(A)
to untie the ropes of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free,
and to tear off every yoke?(B)
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,(C)
to bring the poor and homeless into your house,
to clothe the naked when you see him,(D)
and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?[a](E)
Then your light will appear like the dawn,
and your recovery will come quickly.(F)
Your righteousness will go before you,(G)
and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard.(H)

At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer;(I)
when you cry out, he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you get rid of the yoke among you,
the finger-pointing and malicious speaking,(J)
10 and if you offer yourself[b] to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted one,
then your light will shine in the darkness,(K)
and your night will be like noonday.
11 The Lord will always lead you,
satisfy you in a parched land,
and strengthen your bones.
You will be like a watered garden(L)
and like a spring whose water never runs dry.(M)
12 Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins;(N)
you will restore the foundations laid long ago;(O)
you will be called the repairer of broken walls,
the restorer of streets where people live.

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Footnotes

  1. 58:7 Lit not hide yourself from your flesh
  2. 58:10 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr read offer your bread

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
    Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
    and a restorer of homes.

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