\NormalFont\ShortTitle{MICAH}

{\MT Micah



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The Prophet Micah
\par }
{\MM \VerseOne{1}The
{\ND{Lord}} spoke his word to Micah, who was from Moresheth, when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. This is the vision that Micah saw about Samaria and Jerusalem.


\par }{\SH The Capital Cities of Israel and Judah Destroyed
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}Listen, all you people!

\par }{\Q Pay attention, earth and all who are on it.

\par }{\Q The Almighty
{\ND{Lord}} will be a witness against you.

\par }{\Q The Lord will be a witness from his holy temple.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The
{\ND{Lord}} is going to come from his place.

\par }{\Q He is going to come down and step on the worship places of the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Mountains will melt under him like wax near a fire.

\par }{\Q Valleys will split apart like water pouring down a steep hill.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}All this is because of Jacob’s crime and Israel’s sin.

\par }{\Q What is Jacob’s crime? Isn’t it Samaria?

\par }{\Q What is Judah’s worship place? Isn’t it Jerusalem?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}So I will turn Samaria into a pile of rubble,

\par }{\Q a place for planting vineyards.

\par }{\Q I will roll its stones down into a valley and expose its foundations.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}All its idols will be smashed to pieces.

\par }{\Q All its wages for being a prostitute will be burned.

\par }{\Q All its statues will be turned into a pile of rubble.

\par }{\Q Samaria collected its wages for being a prostitute.

\par }{\Q That money will again pay for prostitutes.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}I will mourn and cry because of this.

\par }{\Q I will walk around barefoot and naked.

\par }{\Q I will cry like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Samaria’s wounds are incurable.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{⌞The news about Samaria⌟}} will come to Judah.

\par }{\Q It will reach the gates of my people in Jerusalem.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Don’t report it in Gath. Don’t cry there.

\par }{\Q Roll in the dust of Beth Leaphrah.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:10 }{\FT{Or
}}{\FQA{“I rolled in the dust of Beth Leaphrah.”}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Pass by, naked and ashamed, inhabitants of Shaphir.

\par }{\Q Don’t come out, inhabitants of Zaanan.

\par }{\Q Beth Ezel is in mourning.

\par }{\Q It will take its support away from you.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Wait anxiously for good, inhabitants of Maroth.

\par }{\Q From the
{\ND{Lord}} disaster will come on the gates of Jerusalem.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Harness the horses to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish.

\par }{\Q You were the first to lead the people of Zion into sin.

\par }{\Q The rebellious acts of Israel are found in you.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}That is why you will give farewell gifts to Moresheth Gath.

\par }{\Q The town of Achzib will betray the kings of Israel.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}I will again bring a conqueror against the inhabitants of Mareshah.

\par }{\Q The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Shave your head in mourning for the children you love.

\par }{\Q Make yourselves as bald as vultures

\par }{\Q because your children will be taken from you into exile.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH Israel’s Sins Are Condemned
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}How horrible it will be for those who invent trouble

\par }{\Q and work out plans for disaster while in bed.

\par }{\Q When the morning dawns, they carry out their plans

\par }{\Q because they are able to.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}They desire
{\ADD{⌞other people’s⌟}} fields, so they seize them.

\par }{\Q They desire
{\ADD{⌞people’s⌟}} houses, so they take them.

\par }{\Q They cheat a man and his family,

\par }{\Q a man and his inheritance.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\MM \VS{3}So this is what the
{\ND{Lord}} says:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q I’m planning a disaster to punish your family.

\par }{\Q You won’t be able to rescue yourselves.

\par }{\Q You will no longer be able to walk proudly.

\par }{\Q This will be a time of disaster.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}When that day comes, people will make fun of you.

\par }{\Q They will sing this sad song about you:

\par }{\Q “We are completely ruined.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} gives our people’s possessions
{\ADD{⌞to others⌟}}.

\par }{\Q He takes them from us.

\par }{\Q He divides our fields among our captors.”


\par }{\Q \VS{5}That is why none of you in the
{\ND{Lord}}’s assembly will draw lots

\par }{\Q to divide your property.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Your prophets say, “Don’t prophesy!

\par }{\Q Don’t prophesy such things!

\par }{\Q Disgrace will never overtake us.”


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Should the descendants of Jacob be asked:

\par }{\Q Has the Spirit of the
{\ND{Lord}} become impatient with you?

\par }{\Q Has he done these things?

\par }{\Q Are his words good for those who live honestly?


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Recently, my people have turned into enemies.

\par }{\Q You take coats from those who pass by without a care

\par }{\Q as they return from war.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}You force the women among my people out of their pleasant homes

\par }{\Q and take my glory away from their children forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Get up, and go away!

\par }{\Q This is not a place to rest!

\par }{\Q It will be destroyed, completely destroyed,

\par }{\Q because it offends me.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Liars and frauds may go around and say,

\par }{\Q “We will preach to you about wine and liquor.”

\par }{\Q They would be just the type of preacher you want.


\par }{\SH Israel Will Be Gathered Again by the
{\ND{LORD}}
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}I will surely gather all of you, Jacob.

\par }{\Q I will surely bring together the few people left in Israel.

\par }{\Q I will gather them together like sheep in a pen,

\par }{\Q like a flock in its pasture.

\par }{\Q They will make a lot of noise

\par }{\Q because there will be so many people.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{⌞The
{\ND{Lord}}⌟}} will open the way and lead them.

\par }{\Q They will break out, go through the gate, and leave.

\par }{\Q Their king will travel in front of them.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} will lead the people.




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH Israel’s Sinful Leaders—Rulers, Prophets, and Priests
\par }
{\MM \VerseOne{1}Then I said:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the nation of Israel.

\par }{\Q You should know justice.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}You hate good and love evil.

\par }{\Q You strip the skin off my people and the flesh off their bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}You eat my people’s flesh.

\par }{\Q You strip off their skin.

\par }{\Q You break their bones to pieces.

\par }{\Q You chop them up like meat for a pot, like stew meat for a kettle.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Then you will cry to the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q but he will not answer you.

\par }{\Q He will hide his face from you at that time

\par }{\Q because you have done evil things.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}This is what the
{\ND{Lord}} says about the prophets who mislead my people:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q When they have something to eat, they say, “All is well!”

\par }{\Q But they declare a holy war against those who don’t feed them.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}That is why you will have nights without visions.

\par }{\Q You will have darkness without revelations.

\par }{\Q The sun will set on the prophets,

\par }{\Q and the day will turn dark for them.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Seers \FTNT{*}{{\FR 3:7 }{\FT{A
}}{\FK{seer
}}{\FT{is a prophet.}}} will be put to shame.

\par }{\Q Those who practice witchcraft will be disgraced.

\par }{\Q All of them will cover their faces, because God won’t answer them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}But I am filled with the power of the
{\ND{Lord}}’s Spirit,

\par }{\Q with justice, and with strength.

\par }{\Q So I will tell
{\ADD{⌞the descendants of⌟}} Jacob about their crimes

\par }{\Q and
{\ADD{⌞the nation of⌟}} Israel about its sins.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Listen to this, you leaders of the descendants of Jacob,

\par }{\Q you rulers of the nation of Israel.

\par }{\Q You despise justice and pervert everything that is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}You build Zion on bloodshed and Jerusalem on wickedness.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Your leaders exchange justice for bribes.

\par }{\Q Your priests teach for a price.

\par }{\Q Your prophets tell the future for money.

\par }{\Q But they rely on the
{\ND{Lord}} when they say,

\par }{\Q “After all, the
{\ND{Lord}} is with us.

\par }{\Q Nothing bad will happen to us.”


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Because of you,

\par }{\Q Zion will be plowed like a field,

\par }{\Q Jerusalem will become a pile of rubble,

\par }{\Q and the temple mountain will become a worship site

\par }{\Q covered with trees.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH The
{\ND{LORD}} Will Teach the Nations
\par }
{\R (Isaiah 2:2–4)

\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}In the last days the mountain of the
{\ND{Lord}}’s house

\par }{\Q will be established as the highest of the mountains

\par }{\Q and raised above the hills.

\par }{\Q People will stream to it.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Then many nations will come and say,

\par }{\Q “Let’s go to the mountain of the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q to the house of the God of Jacob.

\par }{\Q He will teach us his ways so that we may live by them.”

\par }{\Q The teachings will go out from Zion.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}}’s word will go out from Jerusalem.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Then he will judge disputes between many people

\par }{\Q and settle arguments between many nations far and wide.

\par }{\Q They will hammer their swords into plowblades

\par }{\Q and their spears into pruning shears.

\par }{\Q Nations will never fight against each other,

\par }{\Q and they will never train for war again.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}They will sit under their grapevines and their fig trees,

\par }{\Q and no one will make them afraid.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} of Armies has spoken.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}All the nations live by the names of their gods,

\par }{\Q but we will live by the name of the
{\ND{Lord}} our God forever.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}“When that day comes,” declares the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q “I will gather those who are lame.

\par }{\Q I will bring together those who are scattered

\par }{\Q and those whom I have injured.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}I will change those who are lame into a faithful people.

\par }{\Q I will change those who are forced away into a strong nation.”

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} will rule them on Mount Zion now and forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}You, Jerusalem, watchtower of the flock,

\par }{\Q stronghold of the people of Zion,

\par }{\Q your former government will come back to you.

\par }{\Q The kingdom will return to the people of Jerusalem.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Now why are you crying so loudly?

\par }{\Q Don’t you have a king?

\par }{\Q Has your counselor died?

\par }{\Q Pain grips you like a woman in labor.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Daughter of Zion, writhe in pain and groan like a woman in labor.

\par }{\Q Now you will leave the city,

\par }{\Q live in the open fields,

\par }{\Q and go to Babylon.

\par }{\Q There you will be rescued.

\par }{\Q There the
{\ND{Lord}} will reclaim you from your enemies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}But now many nations gather against you.

\par }{\Q They say, “Let’s dishonor Zion and gloat over it.”


\par }{\Q \VS{12}They don’t know the thoughts of the
{\ND{Lord}} or understand his plan.

\par }{\Q He will bring them together

\par }{\Q like cut grain on the threshing floor.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 4:12 }{\FT{A
}}{\FQ{threshing floor
}}{\FT{is an outdoor area where grain is separated from its husks.}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Get up and thresh,\FTNT{†}{{\FR 4:13 }{\FQA{Threshing
}}{\FT{is the process of beating stalks to separate them from the grain.}}} people of Zion.

\par }{\Q I will make your horns as hard as iron

\par }{\Q and your hoofs as hard as bronze.

\par }{\Q You will smash many nations into small pieces.

\par }{\Q You will claim their loot for the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q their wealth for the Lord of the whole earth.




\par }\PoetryChap{5}{\Q \VerseOne{1}\FTNT{*}{{\FR 5:1 }{\FT{}}{\XT{Micah 5:1–15}}{\FT{ in English Bibles is Micah 4:14–5:14 in the Hebrew Bible.}}}Now, gather your troops, you city of troops.

\par }{\Q We are under attack.

\par }{\Q Enemies will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a stick.


\par }{\SH The LORD’s Leader for Israel
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}You, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

\par }{\Q are too small to be included among Judah’s cities.

\par }{\Q Yet, from you Israel’s future ruler will come for me.

\par }{\Q His origins go back to the distant past, to days long ago.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}That is why the
{\ND{Lord}} will abandon Israel

\par }{\Q until the time a mother has a child.

\par }{\Q Then the rest of the
{\ND{Lord}}’s people will return to the people of Israel.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The child will become the shepherd of his flock.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{⌞He will lead them⌟}} with the strength of the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q with the majestic name of the
{\ND{Lord}} his God.

\par }{\Q They will live in safety

\par }{\Q because his greatness will reach the ends of the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}This man will be their peace.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q When the Assyrians invade our land and trample our palaces,

\par }{\Q we will attack them with seven shepherds and eight leaders.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}They will rule Assyria with their swords

\par }{\Q and the country of Nimrod with drawn swords.

\par }{\Q They will rescue us from the Assyrians

\par }{\Q when they come into our land

\par }{\Q and walk within our territory.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Then the few people left from Jacob will be among many people

\par }{\Q like dew from the
{\ND{Lord}}, like showers on the grass.

\par }{\Q They do not put their hope in humans or wait for mortals.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The few people left from Jacob will be among the nations,

\par }{\Q among many people.

\par }{\Q They will be like a lion among animals in the forest,

\par }{\Q like a young lion among flocks of sheep.

\par }{\Q When a lion hunts,

\par }{\Q it tramples
{\ADD{⌞its victims⌟}} and tears
{\ADD{⌞them⌟}} to pieces,

\par }{\Q and there is no one to rescue them.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}You will use your power against your opponents,

\par }{\Q and all your enemies will be destroyed.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}“When that day comes,” declares the
{\ND{Lord}},

\par }{\Q “I will destroy your horses

\par }{\Q and demolish your chariots.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}I will destroy the cities in your land

\par }{\Q and tear down all your fortresses.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}I will destroy your sorcerers,

\par }{\Q and you will have no more fortunetellers.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}I will destroy your idols and your sacred monuments.

\par }{\Q You will no longer worship what your hands have made.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I will pull out your poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.

\par }{\Q I will wipe out your cities.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}I will take revenge with great anger

\par }{\Q on the nations that do not obey me.”




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH The LORD’s Lawsuit against His People
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Now listen to what the
{\ND{Lord}} is saying,

\par }{\Q “Stand up! Plead your case in front of the mountains,

\par }{\Q and let the hills listen to your request.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Listen to the
{\ND{Lord}}’s lawsuit, you mountains.

\par }{\Q Listen, you strong foundations of the earth.

\par }{\Q The
{\ND{Lord}} has filed a lawsuit against his people.

\par }{\Q He is arguing his case against Israel.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}“My people, what have I done to you?

\par }{\Q How have I tried your patience? Answer me!


\par }{\Q \VS{4}I brought you out of Egypt and freed you from slavery.

\par }{\Q I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned
{\ADD{⌞to do to you⌟}}

\par }{\Q and how Balaam, son of Beor, responded to him.

\par }{\Q Remember
{\ADD{⌞your journey⌟}} from Shittim to Gilgal

\par }{\Q so that you may know the victories of the
{\ND{Lord}}.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}What should I bring when I come into the
{\ND{Lord}}’s presence,

\par }{\Q when I bow in front of the God of heaven?

\par }{\Q Should I bring him year-old calves as burnt offerings?


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Will the
{\ND{Lord}} be pleased with thousands of rams

\par }{\Q or with endless streams of olive oil?

\par }{\Q Should I give him my firstborn child because of my rebellious acts?

\par }{\Q Should I give him my young child for my sin?


\par }{\Q \VS{8}You mortals, the
{\ND{Lord}} has told you what is good.

\par }{\Q This is what the
{\ND{Lord}} requires from you:

\par }{\Q to do what is right,

\par }{\Q to love mercy,

\par }{\Q and to live humbly with your God.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}The voice of the
{\ND{Lord}} calls out to the city.

\par }{\Q (The fear of your name is wisdom.)

\par }{\Q “Listen, you tribe assembled in the city.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 6:9 }{\FT{Greek; Masoretic Text
}}{\FQA{“Listen to the stick and the one who appointed it.”}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{10}I have cursed all the wicked people who use their money for evil

\par }{\Q and use inaccurate weights and measures.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}I cannot tolerate dishonest scales

\par }{\Q and bags filled with inaccurate weights.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The rich people in the city are violent.

\par }{\Q Those who live in the city speak lies,

\par }{\Q and their tongues speak deceitfully.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}I have begun to strike you with heavy blows

\par }{\Q and to ruin you because of your sins.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}You will eat, but you won’t be full.

\par }{\Q So you will always be hungry.

\par }{\Q You will put things away, but you won’t save them.

\par }{\Q Anything you save I will destroy.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}You will plant, but you won’t harvest.

\par }{\Q You will crush olives, but you won’t rub the oil on your skin.

\par }{\Q You will make new wine, but you won’t drink it.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}You have kept Omri’s laws

\par }{\Q and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab,

\par }{\Q and you have followed their advice.

\par }{\Q That is why I will ruin you.

\par }{\Q Your people will be ridiculed.

\par }{\Q You will bear the disgrace of my people.”




\par }\Chap{7}{\SH The LORD’s People Confess Their Sin
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Poor me!

\par }{\Q I am like those gathering summer fruit,

\par }{\Q like those picking grapes.

\par }{\Q But there aren’t any grapes to eat

\par }{\Q or any ripened figs that I crave.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Faithful people are gone from the earth,

\par }{\Q and no one is decent.

\par }{\Q All people lie in ambush to commit murder.

\par }{\Q They trap each other with nets.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Their hands are skilled in doing evil.

\par }{\Q Officials ask for gifts.

\par }{\Q Judges accept bribes.

\par }{\Q Powerful people dictate what they want.

\par }{\Q So they scheme together.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The best of them is like a briar.

\par }{\Q The most decent person is sharper than thornbushes.

\par }{\Q The day you thought you would be punished has come.

\par }{\Q Now is the time you will be confused.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Don’t trust your neighbors.

\par }{\Q Don’t have confidence in
{\ADD{⌞your⌟}} friends.

\par }{\Q Keep your mouth shut even when a woman is lying in your arms.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}A son treats his father with contempt.

\par }{\Q A daughter rebels against her mother.

\par }{\Q A daughter-in-law rebels against her mother-in-law.

\par }{\Q People’s enemies are the members of their own families.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}I will look to the
{\ND{Lord}}.

\par }{\Q I will wait for God to save me.

\par }{\Q I will wait for my God to listen to me.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Don’t laugh at me, my enemies.

\par }{\Q Although I’ve fallen, I will get up.

\par }{\Q Although I sit in the dark, the
{\ND{Lord}} is my light.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}I have sinned against the
{\ND{Lord}}.

\par }{\Q So I will endure his fury

\par }{\Q until he takes up my cause and wins my case.

\par }{\Q He will bring me into the light,

\par }{\Q and I will see his victory.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Then my enemies will see this, and they will be covered with shame,

\par }{\Q because they asked me, “Where is the
{\ND{Lord}} your God?”

\par }{\Q Now I look at them.

\par }{\Q They are trampled like mud in the streets.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}The day for rebuilding your walls

\par }{\Q and extending your borders is coming.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}When that day comes, your people will come to you

\par }{\Q from Assyria and the cities of Egypt,

\par }{\Q from Egypt to the Euphrates River,

\par }{\Q from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The earth will become a wasteland for those who live on it

\par }{\Q because of what the people living there have done.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}With your shepherd’s staff, take care of your people,

\par }{\Q the sheep that belong to you.

\par }{\Q They live alone in the woods, in fertile pastures.

\par }{\Q Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead like before.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Let us see miracles

\par }{\Q like the time you came out of Egypt.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Nations will see this and be ashamed in spite of all their strength.

\par }{\Q They will put their hands over their mouths.

\par }{\Q Their ears will become deaf.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}They will lick dust like snakes,

\par }{\Q like animals that crawl on the ground.

\par }{\Q They will come out of their hiding places trembling.

\par }{\Q They will turn away from your presence in fear, O
{\ND{Lord}} our God.

\par }{\Q They will be afraid of you.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Who is a God like you?

\par }{\Q You forgive sin

\par }{\Q and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people.

\par }{\Q You will not be angry forever,

\par }{\Q because you would rather show mercy.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}You will again have compassion on us.

\par }{\Q You will overcome our wrongdoing.

\par }{\Q You will throw all our sins into the deep sea.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}You will be faithful to Jacob.

\par }{\Q You will have mercy on Abraham

\par }{\Q as you swore by an oath to our ancestors long ago.

\par }