Isaiah 58:4

Look, you fast to quarrel and fight, and to hit with your fist of wickedness; 1 you do not fast today to make your voice heard above. 1

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

In Context

3'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'but you do not see it? Why have we humbled ourselves, but you do not notice?' 1 Look, on the day of your fast you find your own pleasure and oppress all your laborers. 1

5Is this really the kind of fast that I would want: A day for anybody to humble himself, 1 for him to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself? 1 Do you really call this a fast, a day that pleases Yahweh? 1

Read all of Isaiah 58

Cross References

Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; 1 it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives. 1

Isaiah 59:6Their webs cannot be used for garments, nor can they cover themselves with their works. 1 Their works are works of sin, and deeds of violence are in their hands. 1

Jonah 3:7He sent out a proclamation that said, “In Nineveh, by the authority of the king and his nobles, let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not eat, nor drink water.

Matthew 23:13But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven against people. For you do not enter it yourselves, and neither do you allow those about to enter to do so.

John 18:28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the government headquarters. It was early in the morning, and they did not enter the government headquarters so that they would not be defiled but would eat the Passover.

Philippians 1:14Most of the brothers have far more confidence in the Lord because of my chains, and they have courage to fearlessly speak the word.

Matthew Henry on Isaiah 58:4-8

A Charge against the People. ( b. c. 706.) 3 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. 4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a… Read the whole commentary →

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