CHAPTER 6
Hear
now
what
the LORD
says:
“Arise,
plead your case
before
the mountains,
and let the hills
hear
your voice.
Hear,
O mountains,
the LORD's
indictment,
you enduring
foundations
of the earth.
For
the LORD
has a case
against
His people,
and He will argue
it against
Israel.
For
I brought you up
from the land
of Egypt
and redeemed you
from the house
of bondage.
I sent
Moses
before you,
as well as Aaron
and Miriam.
My people,
remember
what
Balak
king
of Moab
counseled
and what
Balaam
son
of Beor
answered.
Remember your journey from
Acacia Grove
to
Gilgal,
so that
you may acknowledge
the righteousness
of the LORD.”
With what
shall I come before
the LORD
when I bow
before the God
on high?
Should I come to Him
with burnt offerings,
with year-old
calves?
Would the LORD
be pleased
with thousands
of rams,
with ten thousand
rivers
of oil?
Shall I present
my firstborn
for my transgression,
the fruit
of my body
for the sin
of my soul?
He has shown
you,
O mankind,
what is
good.
And what
does the LORD
require
of you
but
to act
justly,
to love
mercy,
and to walk
humbly
with
your God?
The voice
of the LORD
calls out
to the city—
and it is sound wisdom
to fear
Your name—
“Heed
the rod
and the One
who ordained it.
Can I forget any longer,
O house
of the wicked,
the treasures
of wickedness
and the short
ephah,
which is accursed?
For
the wealthy of the city
are full of
violence,
and its residents
speak
lies;
their tongues
are deceitful
in their mouths.
You
will eat
but not
be satisfied,
and your hunger
will remain with you.
What you acquire,
you will not
preserve;
and what
you save,
I will give over
to the sword.
You
will sow
but not
reap;
you
will press
olives
but not
anoint yourselves
with oil;
you will tread grapes
but not
drink
the wine.
You have observed
the statutes
of Omri
and all
the practices
of Ahab’s
house;
you have followed
their traditions.
Therefore
I will make
you
a desolation,
and your inhabitants
an object of contempt;
you will bear
the scorn
of the nations.”