When we fast, you say: Why do we afflict ourselves?
Is the fast day you think of one on which you only
think of your business and yet oppress all the workers?
Your fasting leads only to strive and discord,
and hitting out with a cruel fist.
Such a way of fasting on this day will not help you.
(or) Is this the fast I look for?
A day of self-affliction?
Bowing your head like a reed and
covering yourself with sackcloth and ashes?
Is this what you call a fast?
Is not this the fast I look for?
to release the shackles of injustice
to undo the grips of bondage
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every cruel chain.
Is it not right to share your bread with the hungry
and to bring the homeless into your house?
When you see the naked to cloth them
and never to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then shall your light blaze forth like dawn and
your wounds shall quickly heal
your righteousness shall walk before you…
If you remove from your midst the chains of oppression
the accusing finger, the malicious word
if you make sacrifices to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted
then your light will shine in the darkness and your night will become bright as noon.
You will be like a well watered garden,
and like a spring whose waters never fail.
Rebuild the ancient ruins and lay the foundations for ages to come;
you will be calledthe “repairer of the breach”
and the “restorer of streets to dwell in.”

- Isaiah 58:1-14

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