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Even when you fast, you argue and fight
    and ·hit each other with your [L hit with wicked/sinful] fists.
You cannot do these things as you do now
    and ·believe your prayers are [expect to be] heard ·in heaven [on high].
·This kind of special day is not what [Is this the fast that…?] I ·want [have chosen].
    ·This is not the way I want people to be sorry for what they have done [L Do I want a day when people afflict/mortify themselves?].
I don’t want people just to bow their heads like a ·plant [reed]
    ·and wear rough cloth and lie in ashes to show their sadness [L stretching out on sackcloth and ashes].
Is this what you call a fast?
    ·Do you really think this pleases [L …a day acceptable to] the Lord?

“I will tell you the kind of fast I ·want [have chosen]:
·Free the people you have put in prison unfairly [L Release the chains/bonds of wickedness]
    and ·undo their chains [or untie the ropes from the yoke].
Free ·those to whom you are unfair [the oppressed]
    and ·stop their hard labor [L break every yoke].

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Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,(A)
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard(B) on high.
Is this the kind of fast(C) I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble(D) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed(E)
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?(F)
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Is not this the kind of fasting(G) I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice(H)
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed(I) free
    and break every yoke?(J)

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