Catholic Bible
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Micah, 6

1. Now listen to what Yahweh says: 'Stand up, state your case to the mountains and let the hills hear what you have to say!'

1. Hear what the LORD says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

2. Listen, mountains, to the case as Yahweh puts it, give ear, you foundations of the earth, for Yahweh has a case against his people and he will argue it with Israel.

2. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.

3. 'My people, what have I done to you, how have I made you tired of me? Answer me!

3. "O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!

4. For I brought you up from Egypt, I ransomed you from the place of slave-labour and sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to lead you.

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

5. My people, please remember: what was Balak king of Moab's plan and how did Balaam son of Beor answer him? . . . from Shittim to Gilgal, for you to know Yahweh's saving justice.

5. O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Be'or answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD."

6. 'With what shall I enter Yahweh's presence and bow down before God All-high? Shall I enter with burnt offerings, with calves one year old?

6. "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

7. Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with ten thousand streams of oil? Shall I offer my eldest son for my wrong-doing, the child of my own body for my sin?

7. Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"

8. 'You have already been told what is right and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love loyalty and to walk humbly with your God.'

8. He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

9. Yahweh's voice! He thunders to the city, 'Listen, tribe of assembled citizens!

9. The voice of the LORD cries to the city -- and it is sound wisdom to fear thy name: "Hear, O tribe and assembly of the city!

10. Can I overlook the false measure, that abomination, the short bushel?

10. Can I forget the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is accursed?

11. Can I connive at rigged scales and at the bag of fraudulent weights?

11. Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?

12. For the rich there are steeped in violence, and the citizens there are habitual liars.

12. Your rich men are full of violence; your inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

13. 'I myself have therefore begun to strike you down, to bring you to ruin for your sins.

13. Therefore I have begun to smite you, making you desolate because of your sins.

14. You will eat but not be satisfied; you will store up but never keep safe; what you do keep safe I shall hand over to the sword;

14. You shall eat, but not be satisfied, and there shall be hunger in your inward parts; you shall put away, but not save, and what you save I will give to the sword.

15. you will sow but will not reap, press the olive but will not rub yourself with oil, tread the grape but will not drink the wine.

15. You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.

16. 'For you keep the laws of Omri; what the House of Ahab did, you have done; by modelling yourselves on their standards, you force me to make an appalling example of you and reduce your citizens to a laughing-stock; hence you will endure the scorn of other people.'

16. For you have kept the statutes of Omri, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and you have walked in their counsels; that I may make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a hissing; so you shall bear the scorn of the peoples."



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Footnotes:

6:1-5 - God presents an indictment against Israel, reminding them of His past acts of deliverance and provision. He challenges the people to reflect on how to respond to His love and grace (see also Exodus 19:4-6 and Psalm 78:5-8).

6:6-8 - Micah questions how the people can please God, emphasizing that sacrifices and rituals are not enough without a pure heart. True worship involves justice, mercy, and humility (see also Hosea 6:6 and Matthew 23:23).

6:9-16 - The prophet denounces corruption and injustice in Israel, warning of the judgment to come. The chapter discusses the immoral behavior of rulers and leaders, emphasizing the importance of living according to God's commandments (see also Amos 5:12-15 and James 5:1-6).

Verses related to Micah, 6:

Micah chapter 6 presents God's case against Israel. What does the Lord require of His people? This powerful text portrays a cosmic courtroom where God pleads with Israel, recalling His historical faithfulness. Micah exposes the inadequacy of ritual sacrifices without sincere obedience. The chapter culminates with the famous call to justice, mercy and humility. Ponder with us five biblical passages that resonate with the ethical themes of this powerful chapter.

Hosea 6:6: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." - This verse echoes the theme of Micah 6:6-8, emphasizing that God values justice and mercy above religious rituals.

Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint, dill and cummin, but you have neglected the most important precepts of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. You must practice these things, without omitting those." - Jesus references the principles mentioned in Micah 6:8, reaffirming the importance of justice and mercy.

Deuteronomy 10:12: "Now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your might? your heart and all your soul?" - This verse resembles the exhortation in Micah 6:8, highlighting what God requires of his people.

Amos 5:24: "Rather, let righteousness flow like a river, justice like an everlasting stream!" - Amos expresses a similar sentiment to Micah 6, emphasizing the importance of justice in the lives of God's people.

Psalms 50:8-9: "I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or for the burnt offerings you always offer me. I have no need for any bull from your stables or goats from your pens." - This psalm reinforces the message of Micah 6:6-7, showing that God is not primarily interested in ritual sacrifices.

FAQ:

What does Micah say about God's accusations against Israel?

Micah says that God accuses Israel of not keeping His commandments, pointing to their hypocrisy and lack of justice, despite the blessings they have received. (Micah 6:2-5)

What does God require of Israel in Micah 6?

God requires Israel to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. He does not desire empty sacrifices, but a sincere heart. (Micah 6:8)

How does Micah criticize Israel's corruption?

Micah criticizes corruption in Israel, where the people seek wealth unjustly, exploiting the poor, and neglecting the principles of justice and mercy. (Micah 6:9-12)

What is the consequence of Israel's sin according to Micah 6?

The consequence of Israel's sin will be destruction and the loss of God's blessings as a result of their unrighteousness and disobedience. (Micah 6:13-16)

What does Micah say about lying and falsehood in Israel?

Micah denounces the falsehood and lies among the people of Israel, where people deceive and manipulate for personal gain, disregarding truth and justice. (Micah 6:12)


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