[1] Listen now to what Yahweh says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say. [2] Hear, 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. [3] My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me! [4] For 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. [5] My 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.” [6] How 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? [7] Will 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? [8] He 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? [9] Yahweh’s voice calls to the city—and wisdom fears your name—“Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it. [10] Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed? [11] Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights? [12] Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech. [13] Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins. [14] You 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. [15] You 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. [16] For 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.”
