Isaiah 37:3

37:3 “This is what Hezekiah says: ¹  ‘This is a day of distress, insults, ²  and humiliation, ³  as when a baby is ready to leave the birth canal, but the mother lacks the strength to push it through. ⁴ 

Isaiah 58:5

58:5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want? ⁵ 

Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, ⁶ 

bowing their heads like a reed

and stretching out ⁷  on sackcloth and ashes?

Is this really what you call a fast,

a day that is pleasing to the Lord?

¹ tn In the Hebrew text this verse begins with “they said to him” (cf. NRSV).

² tn Or “rebuke” (KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV), or “correction.”

³ tn Or “contempt”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “disgrace.”

⁴ tn Heb “when sons come to the cervical opening and there is no strength to give birth.”

⁵ tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”

⁶ tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁷ tn Or “making [their] bed.”