Isaiah 58:3-5
New International Reader's Version
3 ‘We have gone without food,’ they say.
‘Why haven’t you noticed it?
We have made ourselves suffer.
Why haven’t you paid any attention to us?’
“On the day when you fast, you do as you please.
You take advantage of all your workers.
4 When you fast, it ends in arguing and fighting.
You hit one another with your fists.
That is an evil thing to do.
The way you are now fasting
keeps your prayers from being heard in heaven.
5 Do you think that is the way I want you to fast?
Is it only a time for people to make themselves suffer?
Is it only for people to bow their heads like tall grass bent by the wind?
Is it only for people to lie down in ashes and clothes of mourning?
Is that what you call a fast?
Do you think I can accept that?
Isaiah 58:3-5
New International Version
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’(A) they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled(B) ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’(C)
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please(D)
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,(E)
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard(F) on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast(G) I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble(H) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed(I)
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?(J)
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
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