The Prophet Micah

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

Now listen to what Yahweh says, “Arise and state your case before the mountains; let the hills hear your voice.

Listen to Yahweh’s lawsuit, you mountains, and you enduring foundations of the earth. For Yahweh has a lawsuit with his people, and he will fight in court against Israel.”

“My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Testify against me!

For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and rescued you out of the house of bondage. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to you.

My people, call to mind what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him as you went from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of me, Yahweh.”

What should I bring to Yahweh, as I bow down to the high God? Should I come to him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my own sin?

He has told you, man, what is good, and what Yahweh requires from you: Act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

The Punishment of Israel

The voice of Yahweh is making a proclamation to the city-even now wisdom acknowledges your name: “Pay attention to the rod, and to the one who has put it in place.

There is wealth in the houses of the wicked that is dishonest, and false measures that are abominable.

Should I consider a person to be innocent if he uses fraudulent scales, with a bag of deceptive weights?

The rich men are full of violence, the inhabitants have spoken lies, and their tongue in their mouth is deceitful.

Therefore, I have struck you with a severe wound, I have made you a ruin because of your sins.

You will eat but not be satisfied; your emptiness will remain inside you. You will store goods away but not save, and what you do save I will give to the sword.

You will sow but not reap; you will tread the olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will press grapes but drink no wine.

The regulations made by Omri have been kept, and all the deeds of the house of Ahab. You walk by their advice. So I will make you, city, a ruin, and you inhabitants an object of hissing, and you will bear scorn as my people.”

Listen now to what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.

Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s indictment, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.

My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!

For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

How shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Punishment of Israel

The LORD’s voice calls to the city— and wisdom fears your name— “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.

Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah(a) that is accursed?

Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights?

Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.

Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins.

You shall eat, but not be satisfied. Your hunger will be within you. You will store up, but not save, and that which you save I will give up to the sword.

You will sow, but won’t reap. You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil; and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.

For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of Ahab’s house. You walk in their counsels, that I may make you a ruin, and your inhabitants a hissing. You will bear the reproach of my people.”

Footnotes

(a)6:10 An ephah is a measure of volume (about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel), and a short ephah is made smaller than a full ephah for the purpose of cheating customers.