Catholic Bible
Mosaico decorativo

Micah, 2

1. Woe to you that devise that which is unprofitable, and work evil in your beds: in the morning light they execute it, because their hand is against God.

1. ἐγένοντο λογιζόμενοι κόπους καὶ ἐργαζόμενοι κακὰ ἐν ταῖς κοίταις αὐτῶν καὶ ἅμα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ συνετέλουν αὐτά διότι οὐκ ἦραν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν

2. And they have coveted fields, and taken them by violence, and houses they have forcibly taken away: and oppressed a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.

2. καὶ ἐπεθύμουν ἀγροὺς καὶ διήρπαζον ὀρφανοὺς καὶ οἴκους κατεδυνάστευον καὶ διήρπαζον ἄνδρα καὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἄνδρα καὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ

3. Therefore thus saith the Lord : Behold, I devise an evil against this family: from which you shall not withdraw your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for this is a very evil time.

3. διὰ τοῦτο τάδε λέγει κύριος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ λογίζομαι ἐπὶ τὴν φυλὴν ταύτην κακά ἐξ ὧν οὐ μὴ ἄρητε τοὺς τραχήλους ὑμῶν καὶ οὐ μὴ πορευθῆτε ὀρθοὶ ἐξαίφνης ὅτι καιρὸς πονηρός ἐστιν

4. In that day a parable shall be taken up upon you, and a song shall be sung with melody by them that say: We are laid waste and spoiled: the portion of my people is changed: how shall he depart from me, whereas he is returning that will divide our land?

4. ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ λημφθήσεται ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς παραβολή καὶ θρηνηθήσεται θρῆνος ἐν μέλει λέγων ταλαιπωρίᾳ ἐταλαιπωρήσαμεν μερὶς λαοῦ μου κατεμετρήθη ἐν σχοινίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ κωλύσων αὐτὸν τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι οἱ ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν διεμερίσθησαν

5. Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the cord of a lot in the assembly of the Lord.

5. διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔσται σοι βάλλων σχοινίον ἐν κλήρῳ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ κυρίου

6. Speak ye not, saying: It shall not drop upon these, confusion shall not take them.

6. μὴ κλαίετε δάκρυσιν μηδὲ δακρυέτωσαν ἐπὶ τούτοις οὐ γὰρ ἀπώσεται ὀνείδη

7. The house of Jacob saith: Is the spirit of the Lord straitened, or are these his thoughts? Are not my words good to him that walketh uprightly?

7. ὁ λέγων οἶκος Ιακωβ παρώργισεν πνεῦμα κυρίου εἰ ταῦτα τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν οὐχ οἱ λόγοι αὐτοῦ εἰσιν καλοὶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὀρθοὶ πεπόρευνται

8. But my people, on the contrary, are risen up as an enemy: you have taken away the cloak off from the coat: and them that passed harmless you have turned to war.

8. καὶ ἔμπροσθεν ὁ λαός μου εἰς ἔχθραν ἀντέστη κατέναντι τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ τὴν δορὰν αὐτοῦ ἐξέδειραν τοῦ ἀφελέσθαι ἐλπίδα συντριμμὸν πολέμου

9. You have cast out the women of my people from their houses, in which they took delight: you have taken my praise for ever from their children.

9. διὰ τοῦτο ἡγούμενοι λαοῦ μου ἀπορριφήσονται ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν τρυφῆς αὐτῶν διὰ τὰ πονηρὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα αὐτῶν ἐξώσθησαν ἐγγίσατε ὄρεσιν αἰωνίοις

10. Arise ye, and depart, for there is no rest here for you. For that uncleanness of the land, it shall be corrupted with a grievous corruption.

10. ἀνάστηθι καὶ πορεύου ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν σοι αὕτη ἡ ἀνάπαυσις ἕνεκεν ἀκαθαρσίας διεφθάρητε φθορᾷ

11. Would God I were not a man that hath the spirit, and that I rather spoke a lie: I will let drop to thee of wine, and of drunkenness: and it shall be this people upon whom it shall drop.

11. κατεδιώχθητε οὐδενὸς διώκοντος πνεῦμα ἔστησεν ψεῦδος ἐστάλαξέν σοι εἰς οἶνον καὶ μέθυσμα καὶ ἔσται ἐκ τῆς σταγόνος τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου

12. I will assemble and gather together all of thee, O Jacob: I will bring together the remnant of Israel, I will put them together as a flock in the fold, as the sheep in the midst of the sheepcotes, they shall make a tumult by reason of the multitude of men.

12. συναγόμενος συναχθήσεται Ιακωβ σὺν πᾶσιν ἐκδεχόμενος ἐκδέξομαι τοὺς καταλοίπους τοῦ Ισραηλ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ θήσομαι τὴν ἀποστροφὴν αὐτῶν ὡς πρόβατα ἐν θλίψει ὡς ποίμνιον ἐν μέσῳ κοίτης αὐτῶν ἐξαλοῦνται ἐξ ἀνθρώπων

13. For he shall go up that shall open the way before them: they shall divide, and pass through the gate, and shall come in by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord at the head of them.

13. διὰ τῆς διακοπῆς πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν διέκοψαν καὶ διῆλθον πύλην καὶ ἐξῆλθον δι’ αὐτῆς καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς αὐτῶν πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν ὁ δὲ κύριος ἡγήσεται αὐτῶν



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Footnotes:

2:1-2 - Micah condemns those who practice injustice, stealing others' land, and oppressing the weak. God's condemnation of social injustice is a central theme, reflecting His justice regarding the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable (see also Proverbs 14:31 and Isaiah 10:1-2).

2:3-5 - God's judgment will come upon those who practice oppression. Micah's words reveal that injustice will result in the loss of inheritances and security for the wicked, indicating that God does not tolerate exploitation (see also Jeremiah 5:28 and Zechariah 7:10).

2:6-7 - The people of Israel react badly to Micah's message, rejecting the idea that God's judgment would come upon them. Their rejection of God's Word reflects the people's hardness of heart and pride (see also Isaiah 30:9-11 and Amos 2:12).

2:8-11 - The oppression and selfishness of the leaders are exposed, as they destroy the people and deceive the trust of the righteous. The image of the "remnant" begins to appear as the hope of restoration, showing that God will still have mercy on a small, faithful group (see also Isaiah 1:23 and Jeremiah 23:1-4).

2:12-13 - Micah concludes with a promise of restoration, where God will gather His people again, symbolizing the faithful remnant who will be saved. The promise of salvation and restoration is a sign of God's mercy (see also Ezekiel 37:21-28 and Romans 11:5-6).

Verses related to Micah, 2:

Micah chapter 2 exposes social corruption and future hope. What injustices does God condemn? This incisive text denounces the oppression of the powerful against the poor, the greed of leaders and the rejection of the prophetic word. Micah reveals God's heart for social justice and His promise of future restoration. The chapter balances judgment with hope, pointing to a time of reunion and liberation for God's people. Consider with us five biblical passages that echo the pressing themes of this challenging chapter.

Isaiah 5:8: "Woe to you who acquire house after house and field after field, until there is no space left and you are left as the only inhabitants of the land." - This verse from Isaiah reflects the same theme as Micah 2:1-2 about the greed of the powerful.

Amos 2:6: "Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and even more for four, I will not suspend the punishment. They sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals." - Amos, like Micah in 2:1-2, condemns the oppression of the poor by the rich.

Jeremiah 23:17: "They keep saying to those who despise the word of the Lord, 'You will have peace.' And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say: 'You will not suffer any misfortune'." - This verse echoes Micah's criticism of false prophets in 2:11.

Ezekiel 13:10: "Because they led my people astray, saying, Peace, when there is no peace, and because when a weak wall is built, they cover it with mortar," - Like Micah 2:11, Ezekiel criticizes false prophets who promise peace when judgment is near.

Zephaniah 3:19-20: "At that time I will punish all who oppressed you; I will save the crippled and gather the scattered. I will give them praise and honor in all the lands where they have been shamed. At that time will I bring them, yes, I will gather them together." - This verse reflects the promise of restoration in Micah 2:12-13.

FAQ:

What does Micah denounce against the leaders of Israel and Judah in Micah 2?

Micah denounces leaders who practice oppression, steal land, and exploit the poor, while prophesying false promises of peace. (Micah 2:1-3)

What does God promise to the faithful remnant of Israel?

God promises to restore the faithful remnant of Israel, bringing them back to their land and establishing a kingdom of peace and prosperity. (Micah 2:12-13)

How does Micah describe the situation of the people who turned away from God?

Micah describes a lost and sinful people, seeking their own interests and turning away from God’s laws, which will result in destruction. (Micah 2:4-5)

What does God's promise about Israel's restoration mean?

The restoration of Israel represents a return to the covenant with God, the healing of spiritual wounds, and the restoration of justice and prosperity to the land. (Micah 2:12)

What does Micah highlight as important to true repentance?

Micah emphasizes that true repentance involves justice, mercy, and faithfulness to God, not just empty words or outward rituals. (Micah 2:6-7)


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