1 Shout the message!Don't hold back.Say to my people Israel:You've sinned! You've turnedagainst the Lord.
2 Day after day, you worship himand seem eager to learnhis teachings.You act like a nationthat wants to do rightby obeying his laws.You ask him about justice,and say you enjoyworshiping the Lord.
3 You wonder why the Lordpays no attentionwhen you go without eatingand act humble.But on those same daysthat you give up eating,you think only of yourselvesand abuse your workers.
4 You even get angryand ready to fight.No wonder God won't listento your prayers!
5 Do you think the Lordwants you to give up eatingand to act as humbleas a bent-over bush?Or to dress in sackclothand sit in ashes?Is this really what he wantson a day of worship?
6 I'll tell youwhat it really meansto worship the Lord.Remove the chains of prisonerswho are bound unjustly.Free those who are abused!
7 Share your food with everyonewho is hungry;share your homewith the poor and homeless.Give clothes to those in need;don't turn away your relatives.
8 Then your light will shinelike the dawning sun, and youwill quickly be healed.Your honesty will protect youas you advance,and the glory of the Lordwill defend you from behind.
9 When you beg the Lord for help,he will answer, “Here I am!”Don't mistreat othersor falsely accuse themor say something cruel.
10 Give your food to the hungryand care for the homeless.Then your light will shinein the dark;your darkest hour will belike the noonday sun.
11 The Lord will always guide youand provide good things to eatwhen you are in the desert.He will make you healthy.You will be like a gardenthat has plenty of wateror like a streamthat never runs dry.
12 You will rebuild those housesleft in ruins for years;you will be knownas a builder and repairerof city walls and streets.
13 But first, you must startrespecting the Sabbathas a joyful day of worship.You must stop doing and sayingwhatever you pleaseon this special day.
14 Then you will truly enjoyknowing the Lord.He will let you rulefrom the highest mountainsand bless you with the landof your ancestor Jacob.The Lord has spoken!