Micah

¹ Woe is me! For I am Like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, Or a first‑ripe fig which my soul desires.

² And there is no upright person among men. All of them lie in wait for bloodshed; Each of them hunts the other with a net.

³ The prince asks, also the judge, for a payment, And a great man speaks the craving of his soul; So they weave it together.

⁴ The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your punishment will come. At that time their panic will happen.

⁵ Do not have confidence in a close companion. From her who lies in your bosom Guard the openings of your mouth.

⁶ Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter‑in‑law against her mother‑in‑law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

⁷ But as for me, I will watch expectantly for Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

⁸ Though I fall I will rise; Though I inhabit the darkness, Yahweh is a light for me.

⁹ Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and does justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, And I will see His righteousness.

¹⁰ And shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is Yahweh your God?” My eyes will look on her; At that time she will be trampled down Like mire of the streets.

¹¹ On that day your boundary will be extended.

¹² From Assyria and the cities of Egypt, From Egypt even to the River, Even from sea to sea and mountain to mountain.

¹³ On account of the fruit of their deeds.

¹⁴ The flock of Your inheritance Which dwells by itself in the forest, In the midst of a fruitful orchard. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead As in the ancient days.

¹⁵ I will show you wondrous deeds.”

¹⁶ Of all their might. They will put their hand on their mouth; Their ears will be deaf.

¹⁷ Like crawling things of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; To Yahweh our God they will come in dread, And they will be afraid before You.

¹⁸ And passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold fast to His anger forever Because He delights in lovingkindness.

¹⁹ He will subdue our iniquities. And You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.

²⁰ And lovingkindness to Abraham, Which You swore to our fathers From the days of old.