Isaiah 58:4-6

Amplified Bible

⁴
“The facts are that you fast only for strife and brawling and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You do not fast as you do today to make your voice heard on high.
⁵
“Is a fast such as this what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself [with sorrow in his soul]?
Is it only to bow down his head like a reed
And to make sackcloth and ashes as a bed [pretending to have a repentant heart]?
Do you call this a fast and a day pleasing to the Lord?
⁶
“[Rather] is this not the fast which I choose,
To undo the bonds of wickedness,
To tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke,
To let the oppressed go free
And break apart every [enslaving] yoke?^(A)

Read full chapter

Isaiah 58:4-6

New International Version

⁴Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,^(A)
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard^(B) on high.
⁵Is this the kind of fast^(C) I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble^(D) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed^(E)
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?^(F)
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶“Is not this the kind of fasting^(G) I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice^(H)
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed^(I) free
and break every yoke?^(J)

Read full chapter

Isaiah 58:4-6

King James Version

⁴Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

⁵Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

⁶Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Read full chapter