Micah 6

1Now listen to what Yahweh is saying: Rise and state your case before the mountains; let the hills hear your voice.

2Mountains, hear Yahweh’s case, and you ageless foundations of the earth! For Yahweh is bringing a case against his people, and he will argue it out with Israel.

3My people, what have I done to you? How have I made you weary? Testify against me!

4In fact, I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and ransomed you from the house of slavery, and I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to go before you.

5My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab plotted, and how Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened between Shittim and Gilgal, so that you will know Yahweh’s righteous acts.

6What should I bring when I come before Yahweh, when I bow down to God on high? Should I come to him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?

7Will Yahweh be delighted with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my rebellion, the child of my body for the sin of my soul?

8Human being, he has declared to you what is good. And what does Yahweh seek from you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

9Yahweh’s voice is calling out to the city—and to fear your name is sound judgment: Pay heed to the rod and to the one who appointed it.

10Is there still, in the house of the wicked, treasure gained through wickedness, and the undersized ephah that is under a curse?

11Can I count anyone innocent who has wicked scales and a bag of cheating weights?

12Her wealthy people are filled with violence; those who live in her speak falsehood, and the tongues in their mouths deal in deceit.

13So I, for my part, have struck you with a sickening blow, to lay you waste because of your sins.

14You will eat, yet not be filled, and there will be emptiness in your belly. You will set things aside, yet not carry them to safety, and whatever you do rescue I will give to the sword.

15You will sow, but you will not reap; you will crush olives, but you will not rub the oil on yourself; you will crush grapes for new wine, but you will not drink the wine.

16The statutes of Omri are observed, along with all the practices of Ahab’s house, and you have walked by their counsel. So I will make you an object of horror, and her inhabitants something to hiss at; you will bear the reproach of my people.