Micah

¹ "Take your stand in court. If you have a complaint, tell the mountains; make your case to the hills.

² listen, Jury Earth— For I am bringing charges against my people. I am building a case against Israel.

³ Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer!

⁴ I paid a good price to get you out of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you— and Aaron and Miriam to boot!

⁵ and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him. Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal. Keep all God's salvation stories fresh and present."

⁶ and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves?

⁷ with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin?

⁸ what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

⁹ If you know what's good for you, you'll listen. So listen, all of you! This is serious business.

¹⁰ you've piled up by cheating and fraud?

¹¹ and shifty scheming?

¹² bullying their way with bluffs and lies.

¹³ You'll pay for your sins down to your last cent.

¹⁴ hollow stomachs, empty hearts. No matter how hard you work, you'll have nothing to show for it— bankrupt lives, wasted souls.

¹⁵ but never get a lawn. You'll make jelly but never spread it on your bread. You'll press apples but never drink the cider.

¹⁶ the decadent lifestyle of the family of Ahab. Because you've slavishly followed their fashions, I'm forcing you into bankruptcy. Your way of life will be laughed at, a tasteless joke. Your lives will be derided as futile and fake."