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Yet they seek Me daily
    and delight to know My ways,
as a nation that has done righteousness
    and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for the ordinances of justice;
    they take delight in approaching God.
“Why have we fasted
    and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves
    and You take no notice?”

Certainly, on the day of your fast you find your desire
    and are exacting on all your laborers.
Certainly, you fast for strife and debate
    and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You do not fast as you do this day,
    to make your voice to be heard on high.

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For day after day they seek(A) me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken(B) the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near(C) them.
‘Why have we fasted,’(D) they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled(E) ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’(F)

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please(G)
    and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,(H)
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard(I) on high.

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