Study Desk

Now listen to what the Lord is saying: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

Listen to the Lord 's lawsuit,^(a) you mountains and enduring foundations of the earth,^(b) because the Lord has a case against His people,^(c) and He will argue it against Israel.

My people,^(d) what have I done to you,^(e) or how have I wearied you?^(f) Testify against Me!

Indeed, I brought you up^(g) from the land of Egypt and redeemed you^(h) from that place of slavery.⁽ⁱ⁾ I sent Moses,^(j) Aaron, and Miriam^(k) ahead of you.

My people, remember what Balak king of Moab^(l) proposed, what Balaam son of Beor answered him,^(m) and what happened from the Acacia Grove^[a](n) to Gilgal^(o) so that you may acknowledge the Lord 's righteous acts.^(p)

What should I bring before the Lord ^(q) when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before Him with burnt offerings,^(r) with year-old calves?

Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams^(s) or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression,^(t) the child of my body for my own sin?

Mankind, He has told you what is good^(u) and what it is the Lord requires of you:^(v) to act justly,^(w) to love faithfulness,^(x) and to walk humbly with your God.^(y)

The voice of Yahweh calls out to the city^[b] (and it is wise to fear Your name): "Pay attention to the rod and the One who ordained it.^[c]

Are there still^[d] the treasures of wickedness^(z) and the accursed short measure^(aa) in the house of the wicked?

Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of deceptive weights?^(ab)

For the wealthy of the city are full of violence,^(ac) and its residents speak lies;^(ad) the tongues in their mouths are deceitful.^(ae)

"As a result, I have begun to strike you severely,^[e](af) bringing desolation because of your sins.^(ag)

You will eat but not be satisfied,^(ah) for there will be hunger within you. What you acquire, you cannot save,^(ai) and what you do save, I will give to the sword.^[f]

You will sow but not reap;^(aj) you will press olives but not anoint yourself with oil; and you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.^(ak)

The statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab's house have been observed; you have followed their policies.^(al) Therefore, I will make you a desolate place^(am) and the city's^[g] residents an object of contempt;^[h](an) you will bear the scorn of My people."^[i](ao)