God’s Lawsuit against Judah

6 Now listen to what the Lord is saying:

Rise, plead your case before the mountains,

and let the hills hear your voice.

2 Listen to the Lord’s lawsuit, f

you mountains and enduring foundations of the earth, g

because the Lord has a case against His people, h

and He will argue it against Israel.

3 My people, i what have I done to you, j

or how have I wearied you? k

Testify against Me!

4 Indeed, I brought you up l from the land of Egypt

and redeemed you m from that place of slavery. n

I sent Moses, o Aaron, and Miriam p ahead of you.

5 My people,

remember what Balak king of Moab q proposed,

what Balaam son of Beor answered him, r

and what happened from the Acacia Grove s t to Gilgal u

so that you may acknowledge

the Lord’s righteous acts. v

6 What should I bring before the Lord w

when I come to bow before God on high?

Should I come before Him with * burnt offerings, x

with year-old calves?

7 Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams y

or with ten thousand streams of oil?

Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, z

the child of my body for my own sin?

8 Mankind, He has told you what is good a

and what it is the Lord requires of you: b

to act justly, c

to love faithfulness, d

and to walk humbly with your God. e

Verdict of Judgment

9 The voice of * Yahweh calls out to the city f

(and it is wise to * fear Your name):

“Pay attention to the rod

and the One who ordained it. g

10 Are there still h the treasures of wickedness i

and the accursed short measure j

in the house of the wicked?

11 Can I excuse wicked scales

or bags of deceptive weights? k

12 For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, l

and its residents speak lies; m

the tongues in their mouths are deceitful. n

13 “As a result, I have begun to strike you severely, o p

bringing desolation because of your sins. q

14 You will eat but not be satisfied, r

for there will be hunger within you.

What you acquire, you cannot save, s

and what you do save,

I will give to the sword. t

15 You will sow but not reap; u

you will press olives

but not anoint yourself with oil;

and you will tread grapes

but not drink the wine. v

16 The statutes of Omri

and all the practices of Ahab’s house

have been observed;

you have followed their policies. w

Therefore, I will make you a desolate place x

and the city’s y residents an object of contempt; z a

you will bear the scorn of My people.” b c