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Is it such a fast that I have chosen,
    a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
    and to spread out sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast
    and an acceptable day to the Lord?

Is not this the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
    to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
    and break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
    and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house?
When you see the naked, to cover him
    and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

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Is this the kind of fast(A) I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble(B) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed(C)
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?(D)
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Is not this the kind of fasting(E) I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice(F)
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed(G) free
    and break every yoke?(H)
Is it not to share your food with the hungry(I)
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter(J)
when you see the naked, to clothe(K) them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?(L)

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