6 They will ashepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

The land of bNimrod at its entrances;

And He will cdeliver us from the Assyrian

When he attacks our land

And when he tramples our territory.

7 Then the aremnant of Jacob

Will be among many peoples

Like bdew from the Lord,

Like cshowers on vegetation

Which do not wait for man

Or delay for the sons of men.

8 The remnant of Jacob

Will be among the nations,

Among many peoples

aLike a lion among the beasts of the forest,

Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

Which, if he passes through,

bTramples down and ctears,

And there is dnone to rescue.

9 Your hand will be alifted up against your adversaries,

And all your enemies will be cut off.

10 “It will be in that day,” declares the Lord,

“aThat I will cut off your bhorses from among you

And destroy your chariots.

11 “I will also cut off the acities of your land

And tear down all your bfortifications.

12 “I will cut off asorceries from your hand,

And you will have fortune-tellers no more.

13 “aI will cut off your carved images

And your sacred pillars from among you,

So that you will no longer bow down

To the work of your hands.

14 “I will root out your 1aAsherim from among you

And destroy your cities.

15 “And I will aexecute vengeance in anger and wrath

On the nations which have not obeyed.”

Chapter 6

God’s Indictment of His People

1 Hear now what the Lord is saying,

“Arise, plead your case 1before the mountains,

And let the hills hear your voice.

2 “Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the Lord,

And you enduring afoundations of the earth,

Because the bLord has a case against His people;

Even with Israel He will dispute.

3 “aMy people, bwhat have I done to you,

And chow have I wearied you? Answer Me.

4 “Indeed, I abrought you up from the land of Egypt

And bransomed you from the house of slavery,

And I sent before you cMoses, Aaron and dMiriam.

5 “My people, remember now

What aBalak king of Moab counseled

And what Balaam son of Beor answered him,

And from bShittim to cGilgal,

So 1that you might know the drighteous acts of the Lord.”

What God Requires of Man

6 aWith what shall I come to the Lord

And bow myself before the God on high?

Shall I come to Him with bburnt offerings,

With yearling calves?

7 Does the Lord take delight in athousands of rams,

In ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I present my bfirstborn for my rebellious acts,

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

8 He has atold you, O man, what is good;

And bwhat does the Lord require of you

But to cdo justice, to dlove 1kindness,

And to walk 2ehumbly with your God?