Study Desk

Listen to what the Lord says: "Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;^(a) let the hills hear what you have to say.

"Hear,^(b) you mountains, the Lord 's accusation;^(c) listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case^(d) against his people; he is lodging a charge^(e) against Israel.

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened^(f) you?^(g) Answer me.

I brought you up out of Egypt^(h) and redeemed you from the land of slavery.⁽ⁱ⁾ I sent Moses^(j) to lead you, also Aaron^(k) and Miriam.^(l)

My people, remember what Balak^(m) king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim⁽ⁿ⁾ to Gilgal,^(o) that you may know the righteous acts^(p) of the Lord ."

With what shall I come before^(q) the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?^(r)

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,^(s) with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?^(t) Shall I offer my firstborn^(u) for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?^(v)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly^(w) and to love mercy and to walk humbly^[a](x) with your God.^(y)

Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom— "Heed the rod^(z) and the One who appointed it.^[b]

Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah,^[c] which is accursed?^(aa)

Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales,^(ab) with a bag of false weights?^(ac)

Your rich people are violent;^(ad) your inhabitants are liars^(ae) and their tongues speak deceitfully.^(af)

Therefore, I have begun to destroy^(ag) you, to ruin^[d] you because of your sins.

You will eat but not be satisfied;^(ah) your stomach will still be empty.^[e] You will store up but save nothing,^(ai) because what you save^[f] I will give to the sword.

You will plant but not harvest;^(aj) you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.^(ak)

You have observed the statutes of Omri^(al) and all the practices of Ahab's^(am) house; you have followed their traditions.^(an) Therefore I will give you over to ruin^(ao) and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn^(ap) of the nations.^[g]"