What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save.
Wherefore have we fasted, (say they), and thou seest not? (wherefore) have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find (your own) pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.
And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with lamps; and I will punish the men that are settled on their lees, that say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good, neither will he do evil.