Translations
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Is this the fast I would choose—a day for a man to afflict his throat, to bow his head like a reed and spread sackcloth and ashes beneath him? Is this what you call a fast, a day of favour before YHWH?
Is this really the fast I desire—a day to go through the motions of humility, drooping your head like a wilting reed and lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you dare to call a fast, a day of delight to Yahweh?
Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

