While I was fasting and sitting on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all the things He had done with me, I see the shepherd sitting beside me and saying: 'Why did you come here so early in the morning?' 'Because, Lord,' said I, 'I have a station.'

2'What is a station?' he asked. 'I am fasting, Lord,' said I.

3'And what,' said he, 'is this fast that you are fasting?' 'As I used to do, Lord,' said I, 'so I fast.'

4'You do not know,' said he, 'how to fast for the Lord, nor is this fast useless that you fast for Him.'

5'Why, Lord,' said I, 'do you say that?' 'I tell you,' said he, 'that this is not the fast you fast; but I will teach you what is a complete and acceptable fast to the Lord. Listen,' said he.

6'God does not desire such a useless fast; for fasting thus for God, you will do nothing for righteousness.'

7'But fast for God a fast of this kind: do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart; keep His commandments and walk in His precepts, and let no evil lust rise in your heart.'

8'But believe in God, so that if you do these things and fear Him, and abstain from every evil work, you live for God; and if you do these things, you will distinguish a great fast and acceptable to God.'