Micah 1:8–16

⁸Then Micah said, “Because of this I will mourn and lament. To show my sorrow, I will walk about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and wail like an ostrich. ⁹Samaria’s wounds cannot be healed, and Judah is about to suffer in the same way; destruction has reached the gates of Jerusalem itself, where my people live.”

The Enemy Approaches Jerusalem

¹⁰Don’t tell our enemies in Gath about our defeat; don’t let them see you weeping. People of Beth Leaphrah,^a show your despair by rolling in the dust! ¹¹You people of Shaphir, go into exile, naked and ashamed. Those who live in Zaanan dare not come out of their city. When you hear the people of Bethezel mourn, you will know that there is no refuge there. ¹²The people of Maroth wait anxiously for relief, because the Lord has brought disaster close to Jerusalem. ¹³You that live in Lachish, hitch the horses to the chariots. You imitated the sins of Israel and so caused Jerusalem to sin. ¹⁴And now, people of Judah, say goodbye to the town of Moresheth Gath. The kings of Israel will get no help from the town of Achzib.

¹⁵People of Mareshah, the Lord will hand you over to an enemy, who is going to capture your town. The leaders of Israel will go and hide in the cave at Adullam. ¹⁶People of Judah, cut off your hair in mourning for the children you love. Make yourselves as bald as vultures, because your children will be taken away from you into exile.