Discovery BoxIsaiah 58:1-4 
Context58:1 “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.
1 tn Heb “declare to my people their rebellion.”
2 tn Heb “and to the house of Jacob their sin.” The verb “declare” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
3 tn Heb “ways” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, TEV); NLT “my laws.”
4 tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
5 tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”
6 tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.
7 tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”
8 tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”
