New Living Translation

1 The LORD gave this message to Micah of Moresheth during the years when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem. 2 Attention! Let all the people of the world listen!<br>Let the earth and everything in it hear.<br>The Sovereign LORD is making accusations against you;<br>the Lord speaks from his holy Temple.<br> 3 Look! The LORD is coming!<br>He leaves his throne in heaven<br>and tramples the heights of the earth.<br> 4 The mountains melt beneath his feet<br>and flow into the valleys<br>like wax in a fire,<br>like water pouring down a hill.<br> 5 And why is this happening?<br>Because of the rebellion of Israel —<br>yes, the sins of the whole nation.<br>Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion?<br>Samaria, its capital city!<br>Where is the center of idolatry in Judah?<br>In Jerusalem, its capital!<br> 6 “So I, the LORD, will make the city of Samaria<br>a heap of ruins.<br>Her streets will be plowed up<br>for planting vineyards.<br>I will roll the stones of her walls into the valley below,<br>exposing her foundations.<br> 7 All her carved images will be smashed.<br>All her sacred treasures will be burned.<br>These things were bought with the money<br>earned by her prostitution,<br>and they will now be carried away<br>to pay prostitutes elsewhere.”<br> 8 Therefore, I will mourn and lament.<br>I will walk around barefoot and naked.<br>I will howl like a jackal<br>and moan like an owl.<br> 9 For my people’s wound<br>is too deep to heal.<br>It has reached into Judah,<br>even to the gates of Jerusalem.<br> 10 Don’t tell our enemies in Gath ;<br>don’t weep at all.<br>You people in Beth-leaphrah,<br>roll in the dust to show your despair.<br> 11 You people in Shaphir,<br>go as captives into exile — naked and ashamed.<br>The people of Zaanan<br>dare not come outside their walls.<br>The people of Beth-ezel mourn,<br>for their house has no support.<br> 12 The people of Maroth anxiously wait for relief,<br>but only bitterness awaits them<br>as the LORD’s judgment reaches<br>even to the gates of Jerusalem.<br> 13 Harness your chariot horses and flee,<br>you people of Lachish.<br>You were the first city in Judah<br>to follow Israel in her rebellion,<br>and you led Jerusalem into sin.<br> 14 Send farewell gifts to Moresheth-gath ;<br>there is no hope of saving it.<br>The town of Aczib<br>has deceived the kings of Israel.<br> 15 O people of Mareshah,<br>I will bring a conqueror to capture your town.<br>And the leaders of Israel<br>will go to Adullam.<br> 16 Oh, people of Judah, shave your heads in sorrow,<br>for the children you love will be snatched away.<br>Make yourselves as bald as a vulture,<br>for your little ones will be exiled to distant lands.<br>