Micah 2:6–8

6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach—

“one should not preach of such things;

disgrace will not overtake us.”

7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Has the Lord grown impatient?

Are these his deeds?

Do not my words do good

to him who walks uprightly?

8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy;

you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly

with no thought of war.

6 Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy:

They shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.

7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob,

Is the spirit of the Lord straitened?

Are these his doings?

Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy:

Ye pull off the robe with the garment

From them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

6 “Don’t say such things,”

the people respond.

“Don’t prophesy like that.

Such disasters will never come our way!”

7 Should you talk that way, O family of Israel?

Will the Lord’s Spirit have patience with such behavior?

If you would do what is right,

you would find my words comforting.

8 Yet to this very hour

my people rise against me like an enemy!

You steal the shirts right off the backs

of those who trusted you,

making them as ragged as men

returning from battle.

6 “Do not prattle,” you say to those who prophesy.

So they shall not prophesy to you;

They shall not return insult for insult.

7 You who are named the house of Jacob:

“Is the Spirit of the Lord restricted?

Are these His doings?

Do not My words do good

To him who walks uprightly?

8 “Lately My people have risen up as an enemy—

You pull off the robe with the garment

From those who trust you, as they pass by,

Like men returned from war.

6 The prophets say, “Don’t prophesy to us!

Don’t prophesy about these things!

Nothing to make us feel bad will happen!”

7 But I must say this, people of Jacob:

The Lord is becoming angry about what you have done.

My words are welcome

to the person who does what is right.

8 But you are fighting against my people like an enemy.

You take the coats from people who pass by;

you rob them of their safety;

you plan war.

6 Prophesy ye not, thus they prophesy. They shall not prophesy to these: reproaches shall not depart. 7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the Spirit of Jehovah straitened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? 8 But of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye strip the robe from off the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

6 Prophesy ye not, they prophesy. If they do not prophesy to these, the ignominy will not depart. 7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, Is Jehovah impatient? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? 8 But of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye strip off the mantle with the garment from them that pass by securely, that are averse from war.

6 Your prophets say, “Don’t prophesy! 

Don’t prophesy such things! 

Disgrace will never overtake us.” 

7 Should the descendants of Jacob be asked: 

Has the Spirit of the Lord become impatient with you? 

Has he done these things? 

Are his words good for those who live honestly? 

8 Recently, my people have turned into enemies. 

You take coats from those who pass by without a care 

as they return from war. 

6 “Quit your preaching,” they preach.

“They should not preach these things;

shame will not overtake us.”

7 House of Jacob, should it be asked,

“Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient?

Are these the things He does?”

Don’t My words bring good

to the one who walks uprightly?

8 But recently My people have risen up

like an enemy:

You strip off the splendid robe

from those who are passing through confidently,

like those returning from war.

6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach—

“one should not preach of such things;

disgrace will not overtake us.”

7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Is the Lord’s patience exhausted?

Are these his doings?

Do not my words do good

to one who walks uprightly?

8 But you rise up against my people as an enemy;

you strip the robe from the peaceful,

from those who pass by trustingly

with no thought of war.

6 “Do not preach!” they are preaching.

They should not preach to these;

disgrace will not overtake us.

7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Is the patience of Yahweh shortened?

Are these his deeds?

Are my words not pleasing

to him who walks upright?

8 But recently my people have risen up as an enemy;

from before the cloak you strip off the robe

from those passing by in confidence,

returning from war.

6 “Don’t prophesy,” the people’s prophets say.

“Don’t prophesy about bad things.

Nothing shameful is going to happen to us.”

7 People of Jacob, should others say,

“The Lord isn’t angry with us.

He doesn’t do things like that”?

The Lord replies, “What I promise brings good things

to those who lead honest lives.

8 But lately my people have attacked one another

as if they were enemies.

You strip the rich robes off

those who happen to pass by.

They thought they were as safe as men

returning from a battle they had won.

6 ‘Do not speak out,’ so they speak out.

But if they do not speak out concerning these things,

Reproaches will not be turned back.

7 “Is it being said, O house of Jacob:

‘Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient?

Are these His doings?’

Do not My words do good

To the one walking uprightly?

8 “Recently My people have arisen as an enemy—

You strip the robe off the garment

From unsuspecting passers-by,

From those returned from war.