Isaiah 58:5

58:5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want? ¹ 

Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, ² 

bowing their heads like a reed

and stretching out ³  on sackcloth and ashes?

Is this really what you call a fast,

a day that is pleasing to the Lord?

Daniel 9:3

9:3 So I turned my attention ⁴  to the Lord God ⁵  to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. ⁶ 

¹ tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”

² tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

³ tn Or “making [their] bed.”

⁴ tn Heb “face.”

⁵ tn The Hebrew phrase translated “Lord God” here is אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים (’adonay ha’elohim).

⁶ sn When lamenting, ancient Israelites would fast, wear sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads to show their sorrow and contrition.