Micah 6

1Hear now what Yahweh says: Arise, contend before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

2Hear, O mountains, the case of Yahweh, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.

3My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me.

4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and from the house of slavery I redeemed you; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

5My people, please remember what Balak king of Moab planned, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him—from Shittim to Gilgal—so that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.

6With what shall I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?

7Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of streams of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does Yahweh require of you but to do justice, and to love steadfast love, and to walk humbly with your God?

9The voice of the LORD cries out to the city—and sound wisdom fears your name: hear the rod and him who appointed it.

10Are there still in the house of the wicked treasures of wickedness, and a scant measure that is accursed?

11Shall I acquit one with wicked scales and with a bag of deceptive weights?

12whose rich men are full of violence, and her inhabitants speak lies; their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

13Therefore I too have begun to strike you, making you desolate because of your sins.

14You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, and your emptiness will remain within you; you will move away, but you will not rescue anything, and what you do rescue I will give to the sword.

15You will sow, but you will not reap; you will tread olives, but you will not anoint yourself with oil; and you will tread out new wine, but you will not drink wine.

16The statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and you walk in their counsels, so that I may make you a desolation, and her inhabitants an object of hissing, and you will bear the reproach of my people.