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 :
‘ My people , what have I done Testify how I have wearied you !
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. 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 Shittim 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 O man , 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 ?
Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights ?
For the wealthy of the city are full of violence , and its residents speak lies ; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.
Therefore I am striking you severely , to ruin you because of your sins.
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 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 kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house ; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation , and your inhabitants an object of contempt ; you will bear the scorn of the nations. ”