Micah Chapter 6

Yahveh’s Case Against Israel

¹ Listen to what Yahveh says:

            “Present to the mountains your case against me;

            let the hills hear your complaint.

         ²But then listen, mountains, to Yahveh’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 Ben-Beor answered with,

            the laws that led you from Shittim to Gilgal,

                  so you could learn about my^Y faithfulness.”

Mic 6:1-5

⁶ What should I bring to Yahveh?

                  What should I bow with before God on high?

      Should I come to him with burnt offerings

                  and yearling calves?

         ⁷Does Yahveh 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 Yahveh require from you

                  but to do good, love kindness,

                  and walk humbly with him?

Mic 6:6-8

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

⁹ Yahveh 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

¹³ So 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