Isaiah 58:2-4

New Catholic Bible

² Yet they search for me day after day
    in their desire to know my ways,
as if they are a nation that adheres to righteousness
    and has not abandoned the law of their God.
They request that I make righteous judgments,
    and they long to be near God.
³ They ask, “Why should we fast
    when you do not even notice?
Why should we mortify ourselves
    when you pay no heed?”
The truth is that on your fast days
    you serve your own interests
    and oppress all your workers.
⁴ Your fasting only leads to quarrels and fights
    and lashing out with vicious blows.
Such fasting as you currently practice
    will not make your voice heard on high.