Isaiah 58:4-6

58:4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by ¹  arguments, brawls,

and fistfights. ² 

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? ³ 

Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, ⁴ 

bowing their heads like a reed

and stretching out ⁵  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. ⁶ 

I want you ⁷  to remove the sinful chains,

to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,

to set free the oppressed, ⁸ 

and to break every burdensome yoke.

[58:4]  ¹ tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”

[58:4]  ² tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”

[58:5]  ³ tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”

[58:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[58:5]  ⁵ tn Or “making [their] bed.”

[58:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “Is this not a fast I choose?” “No” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

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

[58:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “crushed.”