The Case against Israel

1Listen now to what Yahweh says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.

2Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s indictment, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.

3My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!

4For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

5My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”

6How shall I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

7Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Punishment of Israel

9Yahweh’s voice calls to the city— and wisdom fears your name— “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.

10Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?

11Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights?

12Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.

13Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins.

14You shall eat, but not be satisfied. Your hunger will be within you. You will store up, but not save, and that which you save I will give up to the sword.

15You will sow, but won’t reap. You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil; and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.

16For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of Ahab’s house. You walk in their counsels, that I may make you a ruin, and your inhabitants a hissing. You will bear the reproach of my people.”