Isaiah 58:3–8

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.

^4dIndeed 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.

⁵Is ^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?

⁷Is 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?

⁸ⁿThen 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.