3 "Why have we fasted,

and You have not seen?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and You have not noticed?"

"Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please,

and you oppress all your workers.

4 You fast with contention and strife

to strike viciously with your fist.

You cannot fast as you do today

and have your voice be heard on high.

5 Is this the fast I have chosen:

a day for a man to deny himself,

to bow his head like a reed,

and to spread out sackcloth and ashes?

Will you call this a fast

and a day acceptable to the LORD?

6 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen:

to break the chains of wickedness,

to untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and tear off every yoke?