New Living Translation

1 Listen to what the LORD is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me.<br>Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints.<br> 2 And now, O mountains,<br>listen to the LORD’s complaint!<br>He has a case against his people.<br>He will bring charges against Israel.<br> 3 “O my people, what have I done to you?<br>What have I done to make you tired of me?<br>Answer me!<br> 4 For I brought you out of Egypt<br>and redeemed you from slavery.<br>I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.<br> 5 Don’t you remember, my people,<br>how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed<br>and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead?<br>And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal,<br>when I, the LORD, did everything I could<br>to teach you about my faithfulness.”<br> 6 What can we bring to the LORD?<br>Should we bring him burnt offerings?<br>Should we bow before God (Elohim) Most High<br>with offerings of yearling calves?<br> 7 Should we offer him thousands of rams<br>and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?<br>Should we sacrifice our firstborn children<br>to pay for our sins?<br> 8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,<br>and this is what he requires of you:<br>to do what is right, to love mercy,<br>and to walk humbly with your God (Elohim).<br> 9 Fear the LORD if you are wise!<br>His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem:<br>“The armies of destruction are coming;<br>the LORD is sending them.<br> 10 What shall I say about the homes of the wicked<br>filled with treasures gained by cheating?<br>What about the disgusting practice<br>of measuring out grain with dishonest measures?<br> 11 How can I tolerate your merchants<br>who use dishonest scales and weights?<br> 12 The rich among you have become wealthy<br>through extortion and violence.<br>Your citizens are so used to lying<br>that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.<br> 13 “Therefore, I will wound you!<br>I will bring you to ruin for all your sins.<br> 14 You will eat but never have enough.<br>Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain.<br>And though you try to save your money,<br>it will come to nothing in the end.<br>You will save a little,<br>but I will give it to those who conquer you.<br> 15 You will plant crops<br>but not harvest them.<br>You will press your olives<br>but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves.<br>You will trample the grapes<br>but get no juice to make your wine.<br> 16 You keep only the laws of evil King Omri;<br>you follow only the example of wicked King Ahab!<br>Therefore, I will make an example of you,<br>bringing you to complete ruin.<br>You will be treated with contempt,<br>mocked by all who see you.”<br>