3  You wonder why the LORD pays no attention 
    when you go without eating and act humble. 
    But on those same days that you give up eating, 
    you think only of yourselves 
    and abuse your workers. 
4  You even get angry and ready to fight. 
    No wonder God won't listen to your prayers!

5  Do you think the LORD wants you to give up eating 
    and to act as humble as a bent-over bush? 
    Or to dress in sackcloth and sit in ashes? 
    Is this really what he wants on a day of worship?

6  I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. 
    Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. 
    Free those who are abused! 

7  Share your food with everyone who is hungry; 
    share your home with the poor and homeless. 
    Give clothes to those in need; 
    don't turn away your relatives.

8  Then your light will shine like the dawning sun,
    and you will quickly be healed. 
    Your honesty will protect you as you advance, 
    and the glory of the LORD 
    will defend you from behind. 

9  When you beg the LORD for help, 
    he will answer, "Here I am!"
     Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them 
     or say something cruel. 

10 Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless. 
     Then your light will shine in the dark; 
     your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun.

11 The LORD will always guide you 
     and provide good things to eat 
     when you are in the desert. 
     He will make you healthy. 
     You will be like a garden that has plenty of water 
     or like a stream that never runs dry. 

12 You will rebuild those houses left in ruins for years; 
     you will be known as a builder and repairer 
     of city walls and streets.