A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, thus says the Lord God, cry out full-throatedly and unsparingly.

Lift up your voice like a trumpet blast.

Tell my people their wickedness

and the house of Jacob their sins.

They seek me day after day

and desire to know my ways, like a nation that has done what is right and not abandon the law of their God.

They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God.

Why do we fast and you do not see it?

Afflict ourselves and you take no note of it.

Lo, on your fast day, you carry out your own pursuits and you drive out your laborers.

Oh yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you

might fast, so as to make your voice heard on high, is this the manner of fasting that I wish

of keeping a day of penance? That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

This rather is the fasting that I wish,

releasing those bound unjustly, untyying the thongs of the yoke,

setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed. Your vindication shall go before you,

and the glory of the Lord shall be your rare guard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer.

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