Isaiah 58:1-8

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 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.

58:7 I want you ¹⁵  to share your food with the hungry

and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. ¹⁶ 

When you see someone naked, clothe him!

Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! ¹⁷ 

58:8 Then your light will shine like the sunrise; ¹⁸ 

your restoration will quickly arrive; ¹⁹ 

your godly behavior ²⁰  will go before you,

and the Lord’s splendor will be your rear guard. ²¹ 

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

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

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

[58:3]  ⁴ tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[58:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”

[58:3]  ⁶ tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.

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

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

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

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

[58:5]  ¹¹ tn Or “making [their] bed.”

[58:6]  ¹² tn Heb “Is this not a fast I choose?” “No” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

[58:6]  ¹³ tn The words “I want you” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[58:6]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “crushed.”

[58:7]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “Is it not?” The rhetorical question here expects a positive answer, “It is!”

[58:7]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “and afflicted [ones], homeless [ones] you should bring [into] a house.” On the meaning of מְרוּדִים (mÿrudim, “homeless”) see HALOT 633 s.v. *מָרוּד.

[58:7]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “and from your flesh do not hide yourself.”

[58:8]  ¹⁸ tn Heb “will burst out like the dawn.”

[58:8]  ¹⁹ tn Heb “prosper”; KJV “spring forth speedily.”

[58:8]  ²⁰ tn Or “righteousness.” Their godly behavior will be on display for all to see.

[58:8]  ²¹ sn The nation will experience God’s protective presence.