Isaiah 32:6

32:6 For a fool speaks disgraceful things;

his mind plans out sinful deeds.

He commits godless deeds

and says misleading things about the Lord;

he gives the hungry nothing to satisfy their appetite

and gives the thirsty nothing to drink.

Isaiah 55:2

55:2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you?

Why spend your hard-earned money on something that will not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me and eat what is nourishing! 10 

Enjoy fine food! 11 

Isaiah 58:3

58:3 They lament, 12  ‘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, 13 

you oppress your workers. 14 


tn Or “foolishness,” in a moral-ethical sense. See 9:17.

tn Heb “and his heart commits sin”; KJV, ASV “his heart will work iniquity”; NASB “inclines toward wickedness.”

tn Heb “in order to do [or “so that he does”] what is godless [or “defiled”].”

tn Heb “so that he leaves empty the appetite [or “desire”] of the hungry.”

tn Heb “and the drink of the thirsty he causes to fail.”

tn Heb “for what is not food.”

tn The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

tn Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.

tn The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.

10 tn Heb “good” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).

11 tn Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.”

sn Nourishing, fine food here represents the blessings God freely offers. These include forgiveness, a new covenantal relationship with God, and national prominence (see vv. 3-6).

12 tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

13 tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”

14 tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.