Micah Chapter 6

The LORD’s Case Against Israel

¹ Listen to what the LORD says:

            “Present to the mountains your case against me;

            let the hills hear your complaint.”

         ²But then listen, mountains, to the LORD’s complaint,

            you enduring foundations of the world.

      He has a suit against his people;

            he’ll bring charges against Israel.

         ³“What have I done to you, my people?

            How have I wearied you? Answer me.

         ⁴I brought you out of Egypt

            and ransomed you from slavery.

      I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you,

         ⁵My people, remember now

            the curse that Balak, king of Moab, proposed,

            the blessing that Balaam son of Beor answered with,

            the laws that led you from Shittim to Gilgal,

                  so you could learn about my faithfulness.”

Mic 6:1-5

⁶ What should I bring to the LORD?

                  What should I bow with before God on high?

      Should I come to him with burnt offerings

                  and yearling calves?

         ⁷Does the LORD delight in thousands of rams,

                  in 10,000 rivers of olive oil?

      Am I to present my firstborn for my transgression,

                  the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

⁸ No, he’s told you what’s good:

      what does the LORD require from you

                  but to do good, love kindness,

      and walk humbly with him?

Mic 6:6-8

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

⁹ The LORD will call out to the city—

      it’s wise to respect him—

            “Listen, tribe and city council.

         ¹⁰Can I overlook the wealth gained from cheating

                              that’s in sinners’ houses

            and the short measure that’s accursed?

         ¹¹Can I acquit a businessman that uses dishonest scales

            and a bag of false weights?

         ¹²The rich in the city extort;

            its residents lie and deceive.

Mic 6:9-12

         ¹³So I’ll send diseases to strike you down,

            and bring you to ruin for your sins.

         ¹⁴You’ll eat, but you won’t be satisfied;

            there’ll be hunger among you.

      You’ll store up for safe keeping,

            but I’ll deliver most of it to the sword.

         ¹⁵You’ll plant, but not harvest;

            you’ll tread olives, but not anoint yourself with the oil;

            you’ll tread grapes, but not drink the wine.

         ¹⁶You’ve followed the statutes of sinful Omri

                  and the example of Ahab;

            you’ve taken their advice.

      So I’ll deliver you to destruction

                  and your people to ridicule;

            you’ll endure the nations’ scorn.”                      

Mic 6:13-16