The Lord’s case against Israel

1Listen to what the Lord says:

‘Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;

let the hills hear what you have to say.

2‘Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;

listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.

For the Lord has a case against his people;

he is lodging a charge against Israel.

3‘My people, what have I done to you?

How have I burdened you? Answer me.

4I brought you up out of Egypt

and redeemed you from the land of slavery.

I sent Moses to lead you,

also Aaron and Miriam.

5My people, remember

what Balak king of Moab plotted

and what Balaam son of Beor answered.

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,

that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.’

6With what shall I come before the Lord

and bow down before the exalted God?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,

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

8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly6:8 Or prudently with your God.

Israel’s guilt and punishment

9Listen! The Lord is calling to the city –

and to fear your name is wisdom –

‘Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.6:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

10Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house,

and the short ephah,6:10 An ephah was a dry measure. which is accursed?

11Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales,

with a bag of false weights?

12Your rich people are violent;

your inhabitants are liars

and their tongues speak deceitfully.

13Therefore, I have begun to destroy you,

to ruin6:13 Or Therefore, I will make you ill and destroy you; / I will ruin you because of your sins.

14You will eat but not be satisfied;

your stomach will still be empty.6:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

You will store up but save nothing,

because what you save6:14 Or You will press towards birth but not give birth, / and what you bring to birth I will give to the sword.

15You will plant but not harvest;

you will press olives but not use the oil,

you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.

16You have observed the statutes of Omri

and all the practices of Ahab’s house;

you have followed their traditions.

Therefore I will give you over to ruin

and your people to derision;

you will bear the scorn of the nations.6:16 Septuagint; Hebrew scorn due to my people’