Isaiah 58

3 "Why have we fasted, but you have not seen?  * 58:3 Mal 3:14; Lk 18:12

We have denied ourselves, but you haven’t noticed! "  * 58:3 These are Israel’s words to God.

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

and oppress all your workers.  * 58:3 Is 22:12–13; Zch 7:5–6

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?  * 58:5 Est 4:3; Dn 9:3

Will you call this a fast

and a day acceptable to the  Lord?

6 Isn’t this the fast I choose:

To break the chains of wickedness,  * 58:6 Jb 36:8; Ps 107:10; Ec 7:26

to untie the ropes of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free,

and to tear off every yoke?  * 58:6 Neh 5:10–12; Is 58:9; Jr 34:8