Isaiah 58:5

Isaiah 58:5 in 6 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

5Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for people to humble themselves?

Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed

and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord?

5“Is it a fast like this that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself?

Is it for bowing 58:5 Lit hisone’s head like a reed

And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?

Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?

5Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed

And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?

Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?

5“Is a fast such as this what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself [with sorrow in his soul]?

Is it only to bow down his head like a reed

And to make sackcloth and ashes as a bed [pretending to have a repentant heart]?

Do you call this a fast and a day pleasing to the Lord?

5Is this the fast I have chosen:

a day for a man to deny himself,

to bow his head like a reed,

and to spread out sackcloth and ashes?

Will you call this a fast

and a day acceptable to the Lord?

5Do you think that is the way I want you to fast?

Is it only a time for people to make themselves suffer?

Is it only for people to bow their heads like tall grass bent by the wind?

Is it only for people to lie down in ashes and clothes of mourning?

Is that what you call a fast?

Do you think I can accept that?