Micah 6:1–8

Yahweh Brings a Charge against Israel

6Hear now what Yahweh says:

“Arise! Plead your case with the mountains,

and let the hills hear your voice.”

²Hear, O mountains, the indictment of Yahweh,

and you eternal foundations of the earth,

for Yahweh has an indictment against his people,

and against Israel he contends.

³“O my people, what have I done to you,

and 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 Moses, Aaron, and Miriam before you.

⁵O my people, remember what Balak the king of Moab devised,

and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,

and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

so that you might know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”

What Does Yahweh Require?

⁶With what shall I approach Yahweh,

and bow down to God on high?

Shall I approach him with burnt offerings,

with bull calves a year old?^a

⁷Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams,

with myriads of rivers 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 mortal, what is good,

and what does Yahweh ask from you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?