Micah 7:4–6

4 The best of them is like a brier,

the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.

The day God visits you has come,

the day your watchmen sound the alarm.

Now is the time of your confusion.

5 Do not trust a neighbor;

put no confidence in a friend.

Even with the woman who lies in your embrace

guard the words of your lips.

6 For a son dishonors his father,

a daughter rises up against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

4 The best of them is as a brier:

The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge:

The day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh;

Now shall be their perplexity.

5 Trust ye not in a friend,

Put ye not confidence in a guide:

Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

6 For the son dishonoureth the father,

The daughter riseth up against her mother,

The daughter in law against her mother in law;

A man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

4 Even the best of them is like a brier;

the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.

But your judgment day is coming swiftly now.

Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.

5 Don’t trust anyone—

not your best friend or even your wife!

6 For the son despises his father.

The daughter defies her mother.

The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.

Your enemies are right in your own household!

4 The best of them is like a brier;

The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge;

The day of your watchman and your punishment comes;

Now shall be their perplexity.

5 Do not trust in a friend;

Do not put your confidence in a companion;

Guard the doors of your mouth

From her who lies in your bosom.

6 For son dishonors father,

Daughter rises against her mother,

Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

4 Even the best of them is like a thornbush;

the most honest of them is worse than a prickly plant.

The day that your watchmen warned you about has come.

Now they will be confused.

5 Don’t believe your neighbor

or trust a friend.

Don’t say anything,

even to your wife.

6 A son will not honor his father,

a daughter will turn against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law;

a person’s enemies will be members of his own family.

4 The best of them is as a brier; the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen, even thy visitation, is come; now shall be their perplexity. 5 Trust ye not in a neighbor; put ye not confidence in a friend; keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoreth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

4 The best of them is as a briar; the most upright, worse than a thorn-fence. The day of thy watchmen, thy visitation is come; now shall be their perplexity. 5 Believe ye not in a companion, put not confidence in a familiar friend: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

4 The best of them is like a briar. 

The most decent person is sharper than thornbushes. 

The day you thought you would be punished has come. 

Now is the time you will be confused. 

5 Don’t trust your neighbors. 

Don’t have confidence in ⸤your⸥ friends. 

Keep your mouth shut even when a woman is lying in your arms. 

6 A son treats his father with contempt. 

A daughter rebels against her mother. 

A daughter-in-law rebels against her mother-in-law. 

People’s enemies are the members of their own families. 

4 The best of them is like a brier;

the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns.

The day of your watchmen,

the day of your punishment, is coming;

at this time their panic is here.

5 Do not rely on a friend;

don’t trust in a close companion.

Seal your mouth

from the woman who lies in your arms.

6 Surely a son considers his father a fool,

a daughter opposes her mother,

and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law;

a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

4 The best of them is like a brier,

the most upright of them a thorn hedge.

The day of their sentinels, of their punishment, has come;

now their confusion is at hand.

5 Put no trust in a friend;

have no confidence in a loved one;

guard the doors of your mouth

from her who lies in your embrace,

6 for the son treats the father with contempt,

the daughter rises up against her mother,

the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

your enemies are members of your own household.

4 The best of them is like a brier;

the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.

The day of your watchman, your punishment, has come;

now their confusion will come.

5 Do not put faith in a friend;

put no trust in a close friend.

Guard the doorways of your mouth

from the one who lies in your lap.

6 For a son treats a father with contempt;

a daughter rises up against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

the enemies of a man are the men of his own house.

4 The best of them are as harmful as thorns.

The most honest of them are even worse.

The time your prophets warned you about has come.

God is about to punish you.

Panic has taken hold of you.

5 Don’t trust your neighbors.

Don’t put your faith in your friends.

Be careful of what you say

even to your own wife.

6 Sons don’t honor their fathers.

Daughters refuse to obey their mothers.

Daughters-in-law are against their mothers-in-law.

A man’s enemies are the members of his own family.

4 The best of them is like a briar,

The most upright like a thorn hedge.

The day when you post your watchmen,

Your punishment will come.

Then their confusion will occur.

5 Do not trust in a neighbor;

Do not have confidence in a friend.

From her who lies in your bosom

Guard your lips.

6 For son treats father contemptuously,

Daughter rises up against her mother,

Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.