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Isaiah, 58

1. Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins.

1. Shout for all you are worth, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. To my people proclaim their rebellious acts, to the House of Jacob, their sins.

2. They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, Like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God.

2. They seek for me day after day, they long to know my ways, like a nation that has acted uprightly and not forsaken the law of its God. They ask me for laws that are upright, they long to be near God:

3. "Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers.

3. 'Why have we fasted, if you do not see, why mortify ourselves if you never notice?' Look, you seek your own pleasure on your fastdays and you exploit all your workmen;

4. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high!

4. look, the only purpose of your fasting is to quarrel and squabble and strike viciously with your fist. Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high.

5. Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?

5. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a day when a person inflicts pain on himself? Hanging your head like a reed, spreading out sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to Yahweh?

6. This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke;

6. Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me: to break unjust fetters, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break all yokes?

7. Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

7. Is it not sharing your food with the hungry, and sheltering the homeless poor; if you see someone lacking clothes, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own kin?

8. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

8. Then your light will blaze out like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Saving justice will go ahead of you and Yahweh's glory come behind you.

9. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;

9. Then you will cry for help and Yahweh will answer; you will call and he will say, 'I am here.' If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist and malicious words,

10. If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday;

10. if you deprive yourself for the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light will rise in the darkness, and your darkest hour will be like noon.

11. Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.

11. Yahweh will always guide you, will satisfy your needs in the scorched land; he will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never run dry.

12. The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; "Repairer of the breach," they shall call you, "Restorer of ruined homesteads."

12. Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt; you will build on age -- old foundations. You will be called 'Breach-mender', 'Restorer of streets to be lived in'.

13. If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a delight, and the LORD'S holy day honorable; If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice--

13. If you refrain from breaking the Sabbath, from taking your own pleasure on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath 'Delightful', and the day sacred to Yahweh 'Honourable', if you honour it by abstaining from travel, from seeking your own pleasure and from too much talk,

14. Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

14. then you will find true happiness in Yahweh, and I shall lead you in triumph over the heights of the land. I shall feed you on the heritage of your father Jacob, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.



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Footnotes:

58:1-5 - God condemns the hypocritical fasts of the people, who practice outward rituals without true repentance. True fasting involves a change of heart and righteous action (see also Matthew 6:16-18 and Amos 5:21-24).

58:6-7 - True fasting, according to God, is to free the oppressed, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless. This calling emphasizes practicing justice and loving one's neighbor (see also James 1:27 and Matthew 25:35-36).

58:8-9 - God promises healing, protection, and answered prayers to those who practice true fasting. His blessings accompany justice and charity (see also Proverbs 19:17 and Luke 6:38).

58:10-11 - Generosity and care for those in need result in God’s continued guidance, satisfaction in difficult times, and spiritual restoration (see also Psalm 23:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 9:8).

58:13-14 - God emphasizes the importance of honoring the Sabbath as a holy day. Those who delight in the Lord will experience His joy and blessings (see also Exodus 20:8-11 and Matthew 12:8).

Verses related to Isaiah, 58:

Isaiah chapter 58 redefines true spirituality. How does God view authentic fasting and worship? This challenging text criticizes empty ritualism and calls for a faith that expresses itself in social justice. The chapter promises blessings to those who practice genuine compassion. Isaiah 58 addresses themes such as sincere worship, care for those in need, and spiritual renewal. Ponder with us five biblical passages that relate to the fundamental principles of this provocative chapter.

Matthew 6:16-18: "When you fast, do not look sad like the hypocrites, who change the appearance of their faces so that others can see that they are fasting. I tell you truly that they have already received their full reward. When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it does not appear to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father who sees in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you." - Jesus expands on the teaching of Isaiah 58:3-7 about true fasting, emphasizing sincerity and a focus on God.

James 2:15-16: "If a brother or sister is in need of clothing and daily food and one of you says to him: 'Go in peace, be warm and feed yourself until you are satisfied', but without giving him anything, what is the point? ?" - James echoes the call of Isaiah 58:7 to care for those in need in practical ways.

1 John 3:17: "If someone has material resources and, seeing their brother in need, does not sympathize with him, how can the love of God remain in him?" - This verse reflects the call in Isaiah 58:7-10 to help those in need as an expression of love for God.

Acts 13:2-3: "As they worshiped the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So, after fasting and praying, they laid hands on them and sent them away." - This passage demonstrates fasting as part of worship and seeking God's will, reflecting the themes of Isaiah 58.

Mark 2:27-28: "And then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'" - Jesus reinterprets the meaning of the Sabbath, echoing Isaiah 58:13-14's emphasis on true Sabbath observance.

FAQ:

What does God expect from fasting, according to Isaiah 58?

God is not pleased with superficial fasting, but requires a fast that translates into righteousness, helping the needy, and a contrite heart. (Isaiah 58:6-7)

How does God promise to bless those who practice true fasting?

God promises to restore and strengthen those who practice genuine fasting, bringing healing, light, and righteousness. (Isaiah 58:8-9)

What does the "Sabbath rest" mean in Isaiah 58?

The Sabbath is seen as a sign of the covenant with God, and observing the Sabbath rest in holiness brings divine blessings. (Isaiah 58:13-14)

What is promised to those who serve the needs of the poor?

God promises to care for those who help the poor and needy, promising His presence and restoration. (Isaiah 58:10-11)

How does God describe true worship in Isaiah 58?

God describes true worship as a practice that goes beyond rituals, reflecting justice and mercy toward others. (Isaiah 58:6-7)


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