Yesaya 1:13-14

1:13 Do not bring any more meaningless ¹  offerings;

I consider your incense detestable! ² 

You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations,

but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! ³ 

1:14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies;

they are a burden

that I am tired of carrying.

Yesaya 58:1-4

The Lord Desires Genuine Devotion

58:1 “Shout loudly! Don’t be quiet!

Yell as loud as a trumpet!

Confront my people with their rebellious deeds; ⁴ 

confront Jacob’s family with their sin! ⁵ 

58:2 They seek me day after day;

they want to know my requirements, ⁶ 

like a nation that does what is right

and does not reject the law of their God.

They ask me for just decrees;

they want to be near God.

58:3 They lament, ⁷  ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast?

Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’

Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, ⁸ 

you oppress your workers. ⁹ 

58:4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by ¹⁰  arguments, brawls,

and fistfights. ¹¹ 

Do not fast as you do today,

trying to make your voice heard in heaven.

[1:13]  ¹ tn Or “worthless” (NASB, NCV, CEV); KJV, ASV “vain.”

[1:13]  ² sn Notice some of the other practices that Yahweh regards as “detestable”: homosexuality (Lev 18:22-30; 20:13), idolatry (Deut 7:25; 13:15), human sacrifice (Deut 12:31), eating ritually unclean animals (Deut 14:3-8), sacrificing defective animals (Deut 17:1), engaging in occult activities (Deut 18:9-14), and practicing ritual prostitution (1 Kgs 14:23).

[1:13]  ³ tn Heb “sin and assembly” (these two nouns probably represent a hendiadys). The point is that their attempts at worship are unacceptable to God because the people’s everyday actions in the socio-economic realm prove they have no genuine devotion to God (see vv. 16-17).

[58:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “declare to my people their rebellion.”

[58:1]  ⁵ tn Heb “and to the house of Jacob their sin.” The verb “declare” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[58:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “ways” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, TEV); NLT “my laws.”

[58:3]  ⁷ tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[58:3]  ⁸ tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”

[58:3]  ⁹ tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.

[58:4]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “you fast for” (so NASB); NRSV “you fast only to quarrel.”

[58:4]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and for striking with a sinful fist.”