International Children’s Bible

Isaiah 58:5-9 International Children’s Bible (ICB)

5. This kind of special day is not what I want.This is not the way I want people to be sorry for what they have done.I don’t want people just to bow their heads like a plant.I don’t want them to wear rough cloth and lie in ashes to show their sadness.This is what you do on your special days when you do not eat.But do you think this is what the Lord wants?

6. “I will tell you the kind of special day I want.I want you to free the people you have put in prison unfairly.Undo their chains.Free those to whom you are unfair.Free them from their hard labor.

7. I want you to share your food with hungry people.I want you to bring poor, homeless people into your own homes.When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours.Don’t refuse to help your own relatives.

8. If you do these things, your light will shine like the dawn.Then your wounds will quickly heal.Your God will walk before you,and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

9. Then you will call to the Lord, and the Lord will answer you.You will cry out to the Lord, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’“You should stop making trouble for others.You should stop using cruel words and pointing your finger at others.