Isaiah 58:6-7

58:6 No, this is the kind of fast I want.

I want you to remove the sinful chains,

to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,

to set free the oppressed,

and to break every burdensome yoke.

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

and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people.

When you see someone naked, clothe him!

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


tn Heb “Is this not a fast I choose?” “No” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

tn The words “I want you” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

tn Heb “crushed.”

tn Heb “Is it not?” The rhetorical question here expects a positive answer, “It is!”

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.

tn Heb “and from your flesh do not hide yourself.”