2
Now [they of] Beth-el had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to entreat the favor of Jehovah,
3
[and] to speak unto the priests of the house of Jehovah of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
4
Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying,
5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh [month], even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
6
And when ye eat, and when ye drink, do not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.