Study Desk

The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth^(a) during the reigns of Jotham,^(b) Ahaz^(c) and Hezekiah,^(d) kings of Judah^(e)—the vision^(f) he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Hear,^(g) you peoples, all of you,^(h) listen, earth⁽ⁱ⁾ and all who live in it, that the Sovereign Lord may bear witness^(j) against you, the Lord from his holy temple.^(k)

Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling^(l) place; he comes down^(m) and treads on the heights of the earth.⁽ⁿ⁾

The mountains melt^(o) beneath him^(p) and the valleys split apart,^(q) like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.

All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the people of Israel. What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria?^(r) What is Judah's high place? Is it not Jerusalem?

"Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, a place for planting vineyards.^(s) I will pour her stones^(t) into the valley and lay bare her foundations.^(u)

All her idols^(v) will be broken to pieces;^(w) all her temple gifts will be burned with fire; I will destroy all her images.^(x) Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes,^(y) as the wages of prostitutes they will again be used."

Because of this I will weep^(z) and wail; I will go about barefoot^(aa) and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.

For Samaria's plague^(ab) is incurable;^(ac) it has spread to Judah.^(ad) It has reached the very gate^(ae) of my people, even to Jerusalem itself.

Tell it not in Gath^[a]; weep not at all. In Beth Ophrah^[b] roll in the dust.

Pass by naked^(af) and in shame, you who live in Shaphir.^[c] Those who live in Zaanan^[d] will not come out. Beth Ezel is in mourning; it no longer protects you.

Those who live in Maroth^[e] writhe in pain, waiting for relief,^(ag) because disaster^(ah) has come from the Lord , even to the gate of Jerusalem.

You who live in Lachish,^(ai) harness fast horses to the chariot. You are where the sin of Daughter Zion^(aj) began, for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

Therefore you will give parting gifts^(ak) to Moresheth^(al) Gath. The town of Akzib^[f](am) will prove deceptive^(an) to the kings of Israel.

I will bring a conqueror against you who live in Mareshah.^[g](ao) The nobles of Israel will flee to Adullam.^(ap)

Shave^(aq) your head in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourself as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile.^(ar)