Discovery BoxIsaiah 58:3-6 
Context58:3 They lament, 1 ‘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, 2
you oppress your workers. 3
58:4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by 4 arguments, brawls,
and fistfights. 5
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? 6
Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, 7
bowing their heads like a reed
and stretching out 8 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. 9
I want you 10 to remove the sinful chains,
to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,
to set free the oppressed, 11
and to break every burdensome yoke.
1 tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
2 tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”
3 tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.
4 tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”
5 tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”
6 tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”
7 tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
8 tn Or “making [their] bed.”
9 tn Heb “Is this not a fast I choose?” “No” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
10 tn The words “I want you” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
11 tn Heb “crushed.”
