God’s Lawsuit against Judah
1 Now listen to what the LORD is saying:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your complaint. Q
2 Listen to the LORD’S lawsuit, l
you mountains and enduring foundations of the earth, m
because the LORD has a case against his people, n
and he will argue it against Israel.
3 My people, o what have I done to you, p
or how have I wearied you? q
Testify against me!
4 Indeed, I brought you up r from the land of Egypt
and redeemed you s from that place of slavery. t
I sent Moses, u Aaron, and Miriam v ahead of you.
remember what King Balak of Moab w proposed,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him, x
and what happened from the Acacia Grove R,y to Gilgal z
so that you may acknowledge
the LORD’S righteous acts. a
6 What should I bring before the LORD b
when I come to bow before God on high?
Should I come before him with burnt offerings, c
with year-old calves?
7 Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams d
or with ten thousand streams of oil?
Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, e
the offspring of my body for my own sin?
8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good f
and what it is the LORD requires of you: g
to act justly, h
to love faithfulness, i
and to walk humbly with your God. j
Verdict of Judgment
9 The voice of the LORD calls out to the city S
(and it is wise to fear your name):
“Pay attention to the rod
and the one who ordained it. T
10 Are there still U the treasures of wickedness k
and the accursed short measure l
in the house of the wicked?
or bags of deceptive weights? m
12 For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, n
and its residents speak lies; o
the tongues in their mouths are deceitful. p
13 “As a result, I have begun to strike you severely, V,q
bringing desolation because of your sins. r
14 You will eat but not be satisfied, s
for there will be hunger within you.
What you acquire, you cannot save, t
and what you do save,
I will give to the sword. W
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
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