Isaiah 58:1-5

Context

The Lord Desires Genuine Devotion

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 by⁷ 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 out¹¹ on sackcloth and ashes?

Is this really what you call a fast,

a day that is pleasing to the Lord?

[58:1] ¹tn Heb “declare to my people their rebellion.”

[58:1] ²tn Heb “and to the house of Jacob their sin.” The verb “declare” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[58:2] ³tn Heb “ways” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, TEV); NLT “my laws.”

[58:3] ⁵tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[58:3] ⁶tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”

[58:3] ⁷tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.

[58:4] ⁷tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”

[58:4] ⁸tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”

[58:5] ⁹tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”

[58:5] ¹⁰tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[58:5] ¹¹tn Or “making [their] bed.”