Chapter 6
1 Listen now to what Yahweh says: " Arise , plead your case before the mountains , and let the hills hear what you have to say .
2 Hear , you mountains , Yahweh ’s indictment , and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a case against his people , and he will contend with Israel .
3 My people , what have I done to you ? How have I burdened you ? Answer me !
4 For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt , and redeemed you out of the house of bondage . I sent before you Moses , Aaron, and Miriam .
5 My people , remember now what Balak king of Moab devised , and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal , that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh ."
6 How shall I come before Yahweh , and bow myself before the exalted God ? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings , with calves a year old ?
7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil ? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul ?
8 He has shown you , O man , what is good . What does Yahweh require of you , but to act justly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with your God ?
9 Yahweh ’s voice calls to the city — and wisdom fears your name — " Listen to the rod , and he who appointed it .
10 Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked , and a short ephah that is accursed?
11 Shall I tolerate dishonest scales , and a bag of deceitful weights?
12 Her rich men are full of violence , her inhabitants speak lies , and their tongue is deceitful in their speech .
13 Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound. I have made you desolate because of your sins .
14 You shall eat, but not be satisfied . Your hunger will be within you . You will store up , but not save, and that which you save I will give up to the sword .
15 You will sow , but won’t reap . You will tread the olives , but won’t anoint yourself with oil ; and crush grapes , but won’t drink the wine .
16 For the statutes of Omri are kept , and all the works of Ahab’s house . You walk in their counsels , that I may make you a ruin, and your inhabitants a hissing . You will bear the reproach of my people ."