58:1 “Shout loudly! Don’t be quiet!
Yell as loud as a trumpet!
Confront my people with their rebellious deeds; 1
confront Jacob’s family with their sin! 2
58:2 They seek me day after day;
they want to know my requirements, 3
like a nation that does what is right
and does not reject the law of their God.
They ask me for just decrees;
they want to be near God.
58:3 They lament, 4 ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast?
Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’
Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, 5
you oppress your workers. 6
58:4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by 7 arguments, brawls,
and fistfights. 8
Do not fast as you do today,
trying to make your voice heard in heaven.
58:5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want? 9
Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, 10
bowing their heads like a reed
and stretching out 11 on sackcloth and ashes?
Is this really what you call a fast,
a day that is pleasing to the Lord?
58:6 No, this is the kind of fast I want. 12
I want you 13 to remove the sinful chains,
to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,
to set free the oppressed, 14
and to break every burdensome yoke.
1 tn Heb “declare to my people their rebellion.”
2 tn Heb “and to the house of Jacob their sin.” The verb “declare” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
3 tn Heb “ways” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, TEV); NLT “my laws.”
4 tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
5 tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”
6 tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.
7 tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”
8 tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”
9 tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”
10 tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
11 tn Or “making [their] bed.”
12 tn Heb “Is this not a fast I choose?” “No” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
13 tn The words “I want you” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
14 tn Heb “crushed.”