Isaiah 58:2–5

2 They seek me day after day

and delight to know my ways,

like a nation that does what is right

and does not abandon the justice of their God.

They ask me for righteous judgments;

they delight in the nearness of God.”s

3 “Why have we fasted, but you have not seen?t

We have denied ourselves, but you haven’t noticed!”A

“Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast,

and oppress all your workers.u

4 You fast with contention and strife

to strike viciously with your fist.

You cannot fast as you do today,

hoping to make your voice heard on high.

5 Will the fast I choose be like this:

A day for a person to deny himself,

to bow his head like a reed,

and to spread out sackcloth and ashes?a

Will you call this a fast

and a day acceptable to the Lord?