Isaiah 58:4

⁹She wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. ¹⁰Set two men, wicked fellows, before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king!’ Then carry him out, and stone him to death.”

¹¹The men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had instructed them in the letters which she had written and sent to them. ¹²They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. ¹³The two men, the wicked fellows, came in and sat before him. The wicked fellows testified against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king!” Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death with stones.

²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

²But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

¹⁶“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

⁷He made a proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, “Let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;

²⁸They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

¹³Tear your heart and not your garments, and turn to the LORD, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. ¹⁴Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD, your God.

⁴⁷who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

¹Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”

²The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

¹⁴and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. ¹⁵Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.