Fasting that Pleases God

58 “Cry aloud, 1spare not;

Lift up your voice like a trumpet;

aTell My people their transgression,

And the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek Me daily,

And delight to know My ways,

As a nation that did righteousness,

And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.

They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;

They take delight in approaching God.

3 ‘Why bhave we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?

Why have we cafflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,

And 2exploit all your laborers.

4 dIndeed you fast for strife and debate,

And to strike with the fist of wickedness.

You will not fast as you do this day,

To make your voice heard on high.

5 Is eit a fast that I have chosen,

fA day for a man to afflict his soul?

Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,

And gto spread out sackcloth and ashes?

Would you call this a fast,

And an acceptable day to the Lord?

6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To hloose the bonds of wickedness,

iTo undo the 3heavy burdens,

jTo let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

7 Is it not kto share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are 4cast out;

lWhen you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from myour own flesh?

8 nThen your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

oThe glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

“If you take away the yoke from your midst,

The 5pointing of the finger, and pspeaking wickedness,