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They look for me every day and want to know my ways.
    They act as if they were a nation that has done what is right
        and as if they haven’t disregarded Elohim’s judgment on them.
    They ask me for just decrees.
    They want Elohim to be near them.

Why have we fasted if you are not aware of it?
    Why have we inflicted pain on ourselves if you don’t pay attention?

Don’t you see that on the days you fast,
    you do what you want to do?
        You mistreat all your workers.
Don’t you see that when you fast,
    you quarrel and fight and beat your workers?
        The way you fast today keeps you from being heard in heaven.

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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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