²⁸ “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;^(A)
    they will look for me but will not find me,^(B)

¹⁵ When you spread out your hands^(A) in prayer,
    I hide^(B) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.^(C)

Your hands^(D) are full of blood!^(E)

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please^(D)
    and exploit all your workers.
⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,^(E)
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard^(F) on high.
⁵ Is this the kind of fast^(G) I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble^(H) themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed^(I)
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?^(J)
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting^(K) I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice^(L)
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed^(M) free
    and break every yoke?^(N)