The Lord’s Case Against Israel
1 Listen to what theLordsays:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 “Hear, you mountains, theLord’s accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For theLordhas a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt
and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember
what Balak king of Moab plotted
and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of theLord.”
6 With what shall I come before theLord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will theLordbe pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does theLordrequire of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humblywith your God.
Israel’s Guilt and Punishment
9 Listen! TheLordis calling to the city—
and to fear your name is wisdom—
“Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.
10 Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house,
and the short ephah,which is accursed?
11 Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales,
with a bag of false weights?
12 Your rich people are violent;
your inhabitants are liars
and their tongues speak deceitfully.
13 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you,
to ruinyou because of your sins.
14 You will eat but not be satisfied;
your stomach will still be empty.
You will store up but save nothing,
because what you saveI will give to the sword.
15 You will plant but not harvest;
you will press olives but not use the oil,
you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.
16 You have observed the statutes of Omri
and all the practices of Ahab’s house;
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.”
—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/3/32k/MIC/6-3db37bbc25a3a360e39f94765836ca22.mp3?version_id=111—