13 Bible Verses about Asceticism, People Practicing

Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the Israelites: 'A man or a woman may make a special vow to live as a Nazirite dedicated to Jehovah. Nazirites must never drink wine, liquor, vinegar made from wine or liquor, or any kind of grape juice. They must never eat fresh grapes or raisins.read more.
As long as they are Nazirites they must never eat anything that comes from a grapevine, not even grape seeds or skins. As long as they are under the Nazirite vow no razor may touch their heads. During the entire time that they are dedicated to Jehovah as Nazirites, they will be holy. They must let their hair grow long. While they are dedicated to Jehovah as Nazirites, they must never go near a dead body. Even if their own father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not make themselves unclean by going near them. Nazarites show their vow to God with their long hair. As long as they are Nazirites, they will be holy to Jehovah.

Do not drink any wine or beer, or eat any forbidden food. After your son is born never cut his hair. This is because from the day of his birth he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite. He will begin the work of delivering Israel from the Philistines.

So finally he told her the truth: My hair has never been cut, he said: I have been dedicated to God as a Nazirite from the time I was born. I would lose my strength if my hair were cut.

John wore clothes made from camel's hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

John was clothed in camel's hair with a leather belt about his loins. He ate locusts and wild honey.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'

John the Baptist came fasting and drinking no wine and you say he has a demon.

The disciples of John asked: Why do your disciples not fast? They frequently fasted, and so did the Pharisees.

John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. They came to him and asked: Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast but your disciples do not?

They said: The disciples of John fast often and make supplications. So do the disciples of the Pharisees. But yours eat and drink.

I fast twice per week. I give tithes of all that I get.

Jehovah spoke to Moses: The tenth day of this seventh month is a special day for the payment for sins. There will be a holy assembly. Humble yourselves, and bring Jehovah a sacrifice by fire. Do not do any work that day. It is a special day for the payment for sins. It is a time when you pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah your God.read more.
Those who do not humble themselves on that day will be excluded from the people. I will destroy those who do any work on that day. Do not do any work! It is a long lasting law for generations to come wherever you live. It is a day of worship (sabbath), a day when you do not work. Humble yourselves starting on the evening of the ninth day of the month. From that evening to the next, observe the day of worship.

The word of Jehovah came to Zechariah in the fourth year of King Darius. It was the fourth day of the ninth month that is Chislev. Now they of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to request the favor of Jehovah. Therefore speak to the priests of the house of Jehovah of Hosts, and say to the prophets: Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these many years?read more.
Then came the word of Jehovah of Hosts to me: Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying: 'For the past seventy years did you fast for me when you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months?