Isaiah 58:4-14

4 ecce ad lites et contentiones ieiunatis et percutitis pugno impie nolite ieiunare sicut usque ad hanc diem ut audiatur in excelso clamor vester

5 numquid tale est ieiunium quod elegi per diem adfligere hominem animam suam numquid contorquere quasi circulum caput suum et saccum et cinerem sternere numquid istud vocabis ieiunium et diem acceptabilem Domino

6 nonne hoc est magis ieiunium quod elegi dissolve conligationes impietatis solve fasciculos deprimentes dimitte eos qui confracti sunt liberos et omne onus disrumpe

7 frange esurienti panem tuum et egenos vagosque induc in domum tuam cum videris nudum operi eum et carnem tuam ne despexeris

8 tunc erumpet quasi mane lumen tuum et sanitas tua citius orietur et anteibit faciem tuam iustitia tua et gloria Domini colliget te

9 tunc invocabis et Dominus exaudiet clamabis et dicet ecce adsum si abstuleris de medio tui catenam et desieris digitum extendere et loqui quod non prodest

10 cum effuderis esurienti animam tuam et animam adflictam repleveris orietur in tenebris lux tua et tenebrae tuae erunt sicut meridies

11 et requiem tibi dabit Dominus semper et implebit splendoribus animam tuam et ossa tua liberabit et eris quasi hortus inriguus et sicut fons aquarum cuius non deficient aquae

12 et aedificabuntur in te deserta saeculorum fundamenta generationis et generationis suscitabis et vocaberis aedificator sepium avertens semitas in quietem

13 si averteris a sabbato pedem tuum facere voluntatem tuam in die sancto meo et vocaveris sabbatum delicatum et sanctum Domini gloriosum et glorificaveris eum dum non facis vias tuas et non invenitur voluntas tua ut loquaris sermonem

14 tunc delectaberis super Domino et sustollam te super altitudines terrae et cibabo te hereditate Iacob patris tui os enim Domini locutum est

Isaiah 58:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 58

From the wicked and antichristian party the prophet is bid to turn to the professors of the true religion, and openly, boldly, and sharply, reprove them for their sins, particularly their hypocrisy and formality in worship, Isa 58:1,2, who yet were angry, and complained that the Lord took no notice of their religious services, particularly their fasting, which is put for the whole; the reason of which was, because they did not fast aright; it was attended with much cruelty, strife, and wickedness, and only lay in external appearances, Isa 58:3-5, when they are directed how to keep a fast, and are shown what a true fast is, and what works and services are acceptable to God, Isa 58:6,7 on doing of which, light, health, prosperity, and hearing of their prayers, are promised, provided the yoke of oppression is taken away, and compassion shown to the poor, Isa 58:8-10, yea, a very fruitful and flourishing estate of the soul is promised, and a rebuilding of waste places, delight in the Lord, and great honour and dignity; so be it that the sabbath of the Lord, or public worship, is attended to in a proper manner, Isa 58:11-14.