1Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;1 let the hills hear what you have to say.
2“Hear,1 you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;2 listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case3 against his people; he is lodging a charge4 against Israel.
3“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened1 you?2 Answer me.
4I brought you up out of Egypt1 and redeemed you from the land of slavery.2 I sent Moses3 to lead you, also Aaron4 and Miriam.5
5My people, remember what Balak1 king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim2 to Gilgal,3 that you may know the righteous acts4 of the Lord.”
6With what shall I come before1 the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?2
7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,1 with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?2 Shall I offer my firstborn3 for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?4
8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly1 and to love mercy and to walk humblya2 with your God.3
9Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom— “Heed the rod1 and the One who appointed it.a
10Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah,a which is accursed?1
11Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales,1 with a bag of false weights?2
12Your rich people are violent;1 your inhabitants are liars2 and their tongues speak deceitfully.3
13Therefore, I have begun to destroy1 you, to ruina you because of your sins.
14You will eat but not be satisfied;1 your stomach will still be empty.a You will store up but save nothing,2 because what you saveb I will give to the sword.
15You will plant but not harvest;1 you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.2
16You have observed the statutes of Omri1 and all the practices of Ahab’s2 house; you have followed their traditions.3 Therefore I will give you over to ruin4 and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn5 of the nations.a”