Micah, chapter 6

The Lord Puts the People of Israel on Trial for Their Sins

In this section

The Lord God invites the people of Israel to explain their evil actions. They have forgotten how the Lord saved them in the past, and now they are sinning against God, forgetting what is right and what it is that God really wants (6.8). Jerusalem and its people will be punished (6.16), but Micah holds out hope that God will save them and hear the prayers of his people (7.7).

The Lord's Challenge to His People

he Lord said to his people:

Come and present your case to the hills and mountains.

2Israel, I am bringing charges against you—

I call upon the mountains and the earth's firm foundation

to be my witnesses.

3My people, have I wronged you in any way at all?

Please tell me.

4 I rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves.

I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to be your leaders.

5Don't forget the evil plans of King Balak of Moab

or what Balaam son of Beor said to him.

Remember how I, the Lord, saved you many times

on your way from Acacia to Gilgal.

True Obedience

6What offering should I bring when I bow down to worship

the Lord God Most High?

Should I try to please him by sacrificing calves a year old?

7Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil

make God satisfied with me?

Should I sacrifice to the Lord my first-born child

as payment for my terrible sins?

8The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands:

“See that justice is done,

let mercy be your first concern,

and humbly obey your God.”

Cheating and Violence

9I am the Lord, and you are wise to respect

my power to punish.

So listen to my message for the city of Jerusalem:

10You store up stolen treasures

and use dishonest scales.

11But I, the Lord, will punish you

for cheating with weights and with measures.

12You rich people are violent, and everyone tells lies.

13Because of your sins, I will wound you

and leave you ruined and defenseless.

14You will eat, but still be hungry;

you will store up goods, but lose everything—

I, the Lord, will let it all be captured in war.

15You won't harvest what you plant

or use the oil from your olive trees

or drink the wine from grapes you grow.

16Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed

the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab.

Now I will destroy you and your property.

Then the people of every nation

will make fun and insult you.