Micah

¹ Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead your case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.

² listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.

³ How have I burdened you? Answer me.

⁴ and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.

⁵ what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

⁶ and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

⁷ with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

⁸ And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

⁹ Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom— “Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.

¹⁰ your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed?

¹¹ with a bag of false weights?

¹² her people are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.

¹³ to ruin you because of your sins.

¹⁴ your stomach will still be empty. You will store up but save nothing, because what you save I will give to the sword.

¹⁵ you will press olives but not use the oil on yourselves, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.

¹⁶ and all the practices of Ahab’s house, and you have followed their traditions. Therefore I will give you over to ruin and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”