1. Cry aloud! Don’t hold back!Raise your voice like a ram’s horn.Tell my people about their rebellionand the descendants of Jacob about their sins.
2. They look for me every day and want to know my ways.They act as if they were a nation that has done what is rightand as if they haven’t disregarded God’s judgment ⌊on them⌋.They ask me for just decrees.They want God to be near them.
3. Why have we fasted if you are not aware of it?Why have we inflicted pain on ourselves if you don’t pay attention?Don’t you see that on the days you fast,you do what you want to do?You mistreat all your workers.
4. Don’t you see that when you fast,you quarrel and fight and beat your workers?The way you fast today keeps you from being heard in heaven.
5. Is this the kind of fasting I have chosen?Should people humble themselves for ⌊only⌋ a day?Is fasting just bowing your head like a cattailand making your bed from sackcloth and ashes?Is this what you call fasting?Is this an acceptable day to the Lord?