The Fifth Parable of True Fasting and the Vineyard

1 As I was fasting and seated on a mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all that He had done for me, I saw the shepherd sitting beside me, saying, “Why have you come here so early in the morning?” “Because, Sir,” I said, “I am keeping a station.” 2 “What,” he said, “is a station?” “I am fasting, Sir,” I said. “And what,” he said, “is this fast you are keeping?” “I am fasting the way I always have, Sir,” I said. 3 “You do not know,” he said, “how to fast for the Lord, and this is not a fast, this unprofitable fast that you observe for Him.”⁠a “Why do you say this, Sir?” I said. “I tell you,” he said, “the fast you think you are keeping is not a fast; but I will teach you what a complete fast is, one acceptable to the Lord. Listen,” he said. 4 “God does not want such a worthless fast; for by fasting like this for God you will do nothing for righteousness. But fast for God in this way: 5 do no wickedness in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart;⁠b observe His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil desire rise up in your heart; instead believe God. Then, if you do these things and fear Him and keep yourself from every evil deed, you will live for God; and if you do these things, you will accomplish a great fast, and one acceptable to God.”