Micah 5:6–6:8

6 who will rulec the land of Assyria with the sword,

the land of Nimrodt with drawn sword.d u

He will deliver us from the Assyrians

when they invade our land

and march across our borders.v

7 The remnantw of Jacob will be

in the midst of many peoples

like dewx from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,y

which do not wait for anyone

or depend on man.

8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,

in the midst of many peoples,

like a lion among the beasts of the forest,z

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which mauls and manglesa as it goes,

and no one can rescue.b

9 Your hand will be lifted upc in triumph over your enemies,

and all your foes will be destroyed.

10 “In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will destroy your horses from among you

and demolish your chariots.d

11 I will destroy the citiese of your land

and tear down all your strongholds.f

12 I will destroy your witchcraft

and you will no longer cast spells.g

13 I will destroy your idolsh

and your sacred stones from among you;i

you will no longer bow down

to the work of your hands.j

14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah polese k

when I demolish your cities.

15 I will take vengeancel in anger and wrath

on the nations that have not obeyed me.”

The Lord’s Case Against Israel

6 Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;m

let the hills hear what you have to say.

2 “Hear,n you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;o

listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.

For the Lord has a casep against his people;

he is lodging a chargeq against Israel.

3 “My people, what have I done to you?

How have I burdenedr you?s Answer me.

4 I brought you up out of Egyptt

and redeemed you from the land of slavery.u

I sent Mosesv to lead you,

also Aaronw and Miriam.x

5 My people, remember

what Balaky king of Moab plotted

and what Balaam son of Beor answered.

Remember your journey from Shittimz to Gilgal,a

that you may know the righteous actsb of the Lord.”

6 With what shall I come beforec the Lord

and bow down before the exalted God?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?d

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,e

with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?f

Shall I offer my firstborng for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?h

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justlyi and to love mercy

and to walk humblya j with your God.k