3 *[Mal. 3:14] ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,*58:3 Or pursue your own business

*[ch. 60:17]; See Neh. 5:1-8and oppress all your workers.

4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight

and to hit with a wicked fist.

Fasting like yours this day

will not make your voice to be heard on high.

5 *Zech. 7:5Is such the fast that I choose,

*Lev. 16:29a day for a person to humble himself?

Is it to bow down his head like a reed,

and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?

Will you call this a fast,

and a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 "Is not this the fast that I choose:

*See Neh. 5:10-12to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps *ver. 9of the yoke,

to let the oppressed*58:6 Or bruised go free,

and to break every yoke?