Micah 2

Human Plans and God’s Plans

Woe to those who plan iniquity,

to those who plot evil^a on their beds!^b

At morning’s light they carry it out

because it is in their power to do it.

They covet fields^c and seize them,^d

and houses, and take them.

They defraud^e people of their homes,

they rob them of their inheritance.^f

Therefore, the Lord says:

“I am planning disaster^g against this people,

from which you cannot save yourselves.

You will no longer walk proudly,^h

for it will be a time of calamity.

In that day people will ridicule you;

they will taunt you with this mournful song:

‘We are utterly ruined;ⁱ

my people’s possession is divided up.^j

He takes it from me!

He assigns our fields to traitors.’ ”

Therefore you will have no one in the assembly of the Lord

to divide the land^k by lot.^l

False Prophets

“Do not prophesy,” their prophets say.

“Do not prophesy about these things;

disgrace^a will not overtake us.^b”

House of Jacob, should it be said,

“Does the Lord become impatient?

Does he do such things?”

“Do not my words do good^c

to those whose ways are upright?^d

Lately my people have risen up

like an enemy.

You strip off the rich robe

from those who pass by without a care,

like men returning from battle.

You drive the women of my people

from their pleasant homes.^e

You take away my blessing

from their children forever.

Get up, go away!

For this is not your resting place,^f

because it is defiled,^g

it is ruined, beyond all remedy.

If liars and deceivers^h come and say,

‘We will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ⁱ

they would be just the prophets for this people!^j

Deliverance Promised

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;

I will surely bring together the remnant^a of Israel.

I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,

like a flock in its pasture;

the place will throng with people.^b

One who breaks open the way will go up before^c them;

they will break through the gate^d and go out.

Their King will pass through before them,

the Lord at their head.”