Isaiah 58:3

“Didn't you see that we fasted?” they ask. “Didn't you notice how we denied ourselves?” That's because whenever you fast you still do whatever you want, and you treat your workers badly.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

In Context

2Every day they come to me, pleased to know my ways as if they were a nation that does what is right and follows the laws of their God! They ask me to treat them right; they like to be close to their God.

4Can't you see that when you're fasting you quarrel and argue, and end up having a vicious fistfight? When you fast like this you can't expect your prayers to be heard on high!

Read all of Isaiah 58

Cross References

Exodus 2:23Years later, the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites were still groaning under their hard labor. Their cries for help because of their hardship reached God.

Leviticus 16:31It is a Sabbath of Sabbaths, a day of rest and self-denial. This regulation applies for all time.

Numbers 23:4God met with him there, and Balaam said. “I have built seven altars and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”

Job 34:9He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’

Proverbs 28:9God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.

Isaiah 47:6I was angry with my people, and I abandoned those who belonged to me. I handed them over to you. But you didn't show them mercy—you even mistreated old people.

Matthew Henry on Isaiah 58:2-3

A Charge against the People. ( b. c. 706.) 1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. When our Lord Jesus promised to send the Comforter he added, When he shall come he shall convince ( John xvi. 7, 8 ); for… Read the whole commentary →

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