Micah 6 – read and compare multiple versions
Micah 6
[1] Listen now to what Yahweh says:
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear what you have to say.
[2] Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s indictment,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for Yahweh has a case against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
[3] My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you?
Answer me!
[4] For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you out of the house of bondage.
I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
[5] My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.” [6] How shall I come before Yahweh,
and bow myself before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
[7] Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams?
With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
[8] He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? [9] Yahweh’s voice calls to the city—
and wisdom fears your name—
“Listen to the rod,
and he who appointed it.
[10] Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,
and a short ephah that is accursed?
[11] Shall I tolerate dishonest scales,
and a bag of deceitful weights?
[12] Her rich men are full of violence,
her inhabitants speak lies,
and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.
[13] Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound.
I have made you desolate because of your sins.
[14] You shall eat, but not be satisfied.
Your hunger will be within you.
You will store up, but not save,
and that which you save I will give up to the sword.
[15] You will sow, but won’t reap.
You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil;
and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.
[16] For the statutes of Omri are kept,
and all the works of Ahab’s house.
You walk in their counsels,
that I may make you a ruin,
and your inhabitants a hissing.
You will bear the reproach of my people.”
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear what you have to say.
[2] Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s indictment,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for Yahweh has a case against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
[3] My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you?
Answer me!
[4] For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you out of the house of bondage.
I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
[5] My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.” [6] How shall I come before Yahweh,
and bow myself before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
[7] Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams?
With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
[8] He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? [9] Yahweh’s voice calls to the city—
and wisdom fears your name—
“Listen to the rod,
and he who appointed it.
[10] Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,
and a short ephah that is accursed?
[11] Shall I tolerate dishonest scales,
and a bag of deceitful weights?
[12] Her rich men are full of violence,
her inhabitants speak lies,
and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.
[13] Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound.
I have made you desolate because of your sins.
[14] You shall eat, but not be satisfied.
Your hunger will be within you.
You will store up, but not save,
and that which you save I will give up to the sword.
[15] You will sow, but won’t reap.
You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil;
and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.
[16] For the statutes of Omri are kept,
and all the works of Ahab’s house.
You walk in their counsels,
that I may make you a ruin,
and your inhabitants a hissing.
You will bear the reproach of my people.”