The Abridged Book of Micah

1:1. The message from God that was given to Micah, from the town of Moresheth, during the reign of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah had visions about Samaria and Jerusalem.

1:2. Listen up, everyone; pay attention, world, and everyone in it: let God bear witness to what I'm saying, the God who is present in God’s holy place.

1:3. Watch out, because God is leaving God’s special place and will step down to walk on the highest parts of the land.

1:4. The presence of God will be so powerful that mountains will melt away and valleys will split open like wax near a flame or water rushing down a slope.

1:5. All this is happening because of Jacob's mistakes and Israel's wrongdoings. Isn't the mistake of Jacob the city of Samaria? And aren't Jerusalem's wrong practices found in its high places?

1:6. And so, I'll turn Samaria into a pile of rubble in a field; it will become like land prepared for a vineyard: I will knock down its stones into the valley below and uncover its foundations.

1:7. Every one of Samaria’s carved statues will be destroyed, all the money it got through wrongdoings will go up in flames; all its idols I will leave in ruin: they amassed such wealth by deceitful ways, and it'll vanish just like that.

1:8. Because of this I’ll mourn and cry out loudly; I’ll go about bare and naked. I’ll make sounds of grief like mythic dragons or mourning owls do at night.

1:9. The injury is too deep to heal; it has reached Judah, arriving at the gates of the capital, Jerusalem.

1:10. Don't spread the news in Gath or show your grief; instead, cover yourself in dust to mourn privately in Aphrah.

1:11. You who live in Saphir, move out in shame without any clothes; those in Zaanan won't even come outside to grieve for Bethezel, who is now vulnerable.

1:12. The people of Mar bestàoth hoped for better times, but instead, God brought tragedy right to Jerusalem's doorstep.

1:13. People of Lachi,r prepare your fast horses for flight: Zion's ruin can be traced back to you because you started the rebellion.

1:14. As a result, you'll have to pay the consequences to Moreshètgath, and what you thought was reliable in Achzib will turn out to be unreliable for Israel’s Kings.

1:15. And now a new ruler will take over your City of he King’s Residence and will push forward to Israel's nobilityýs stronghold Adul rkexretreat,

1:16. Go ahead and shave your head as a sign of mourning for your precious children; let your grief spread like an eagle’s winging, because they've been taken far away as prisoners.

2:1. Bad news for those who plan to do harm and think about it all night! When the day comes, they do it because they can.

2:2. They are jealous of other people's land and homes, and they take them by force, crushing the owner and taking away what has been in their family for generations.

2:3. So, God says that punishment is coming for these people, and it'll be so tough that they won't be able to escape or walk around proudly anymore because these are dark times.

2:4. When that day arrives, people will tell sad stories about you, saying, "We're completely ruined! God has taken away our land—how could this happen?" They'll mourn as our lands are given away.

2:5. So you won't have anyone in your community who will be able to divide up land fairly like they used to do.

2:6. The people say to the prophets, "Stop talking!" They're telling them not to warn them anymore so that they won't feel embarrassed.

2:7. Are you who come from Jacob's family saying that God has lost power? Aren't God's actions right? Don't my words help those who live a good life?

2:8. Recently, my people have turned against me like enemies: you rob cloaks and clothes even from those walking peacefully, like they have nothing to do with battles.

2:9. You force the women of my people out of their nice homes; you take away my blessings from their children forever.

2:10. Get up and leave this place; it is not a safe place to stay because it is dirty, and this dirt will lead to your downfall with a very painful result.

2:11. Anyone spreading lies and claiming to speak motivational words about drinks will be accepted as a trusted speaker by these people.

2:12. I promise to bring all of Jacob's descendants together; I will collect those who remain from Israel. I will group them like sheep in Bozrah, in a packed pen; they will be loud due to the large number of people.

2:13. A leader will rise up and pave the way for them; they will break through barriers, pass through the gateway, and leave that place behind: their leader will guide them, with God at the forefront.

3:1. Listen up, leaders of Jacob and rulers of Israel; you're supposed to be experts in justice, right?

3:2. You despise what's good and embrace what's harmful; you treat people terribly, as if stripping off their skin and flesh.

3:3. You're like those who would eat my people alive, skinning and breaking them as if they're meat for cooking.

3:4. When they're in trouble, they'll ask for God's help, but God won't listen—or even look at them—because they've done terrible things.

3:5. God has this to say about the false prophets leading my people astray: even when they promise peace, if they get nothing in return, they stir up conflict.

3:6. So you'll be left in the dark with no visions; it'll be pitch black without any divine insight. Even the prophets will find their world darkened with no light left for them.

3:7. Then those who claim to see the future will feel ashamed and those who predict events will be embarrassed. They'll all cover their mouths because God won't provide them an answer.

3:8. But I, on the other hand, am filled with strength through God's spirit, along with the insight and courage to tell Jacob about their mistakes, and to inform Israel about their wrongdoings.

3:9. Listen up, leaders of Jacob’s family and chiefs of Israel, you who hate fair judgment and twist what is right.

3:10. You're creating a society in Zion based on violence, and Jerusalem on actions that cause harm.

3:11. Its leaders make decisions based on bribes, its religious teachers charge for their lessons, and its prophets expect payment for their insights; yet they rely on God thinking that God is with them and that no harm will come to them.

3:12. Because of what you've done, Zion will be turned into farmland, Jerusalem will be reduced to rubble, and the temple hill will become overgrown like a wild forest.

4:1. In the future, the place where God lives will become the most important one on Earth, higher than all other places, and everyone will be drawn to it.

4:2. People from all over the world will want to go there. They'll say, "Let's visit God's place and learn from God," because that's where God's instructions and guidance will come from.

4:3. God will make fair decisions for many groups of people and will tell powerful countries what they could do better. Instead of fighting, they'll use their weapons for farming tools. There won't be any more war because no nation will fight another.

4:4. Everyone will live peacefully on their own land with enough to eat, without fear, because God has made this promise.

4:5. Each person may follow their own beliefs, but we will follow God now and always.

4:6. God says that on that day, everyone who's struggling or feels rejected or has been hurt by life will be brought together.

4:7. Those who have been limping along in life or pushed away to the edges of society will become strong again; they'll always live under God's rule in this special place.

4:8. You, the bastion among the hills where the sheep gather, strength to the people of Zion, leadership will be restored to you; power will return to the people of Jerusalem.

4:9. What is causing you to raise such loud cries of distress? Is your ruler gone? Have you lost your trusted advisor? You're feeling deep anguish as if you're about to give birth.

4:10. Experience the pain and work hard to give birth, inhabitants of Zion, like a woman in labor: because soon, you're going to leave your city. You'll live in the countryside and eventually reach Babylon; but there, you'll be rescued—God will save you from those who mean you harm.

4:11. Now many countries are gathering together against you; they’re vying to see your downfall and are eyeing Jerusalem with greed.

4:12. But they don't understand God's plans or grasp God's guidance: for God will round them up as bundles of grain on a threshing floor.

4:13. Get up and crush them, inhabitants of Zion: for God will empower you with strength like iron and durability like bronze, and you'll scatter many nations. Their wealth will be dedicated to God and their resources offered to the one who presides over all the earth.

5:1. Get ready, people of the city, you're under attack. Your enemies will strike down your leader right in the face.

5:2. Though you're a small town in Judah, Bethlehem, something great will come from you—a leader for Israel with a deep, ancient history.

5:3. God will leave them alone for a while until the one who is giving birth has her child. Afterwards, the survivors will rejoin the people of Israel.

5:4. This leader will care for them with God's power and majesty. They will live securely because this leader will be honored everywhere on earth.

5:5. This leader will bring peace when enemies invade our land and storm our buildings; we'll fight back with seven leaders and eight top officials.

5:6. They'll destroy our enemies' lands with their swords and conquer hostile strongholds; they'll protect us from attacking armies.

5:7. The survivors from Jacob's line will be like refreshing dew from God among many nations—not dependent on human actions or waiting for human permission.

5:8. Those survivors will be like lions among animals in the woods, or young lions among flocks of sheep—if they walk through something, they'll stomp it down and rip it up with no one to save it.

5:9. You'll stand victorious over those who oppose you, and your foes will be defeated.

5:10. There will come a time, God has declared, when I will take away your horses and ruin your war carts.

5:11. And I will destroy your cities and topple all your fortresses.

5:12. I will put an end to practices of magic among you; you will have no fortune-tellers left.

5:13. I will also wipe out your idols and the statues you have set up; you won’t bow down to things made by your hands anymore.

5:14. And I'll remove the sacred groves from among you; thus, I will demolish your cities.

5:15. And upon foreign nations, I will deliver punishment with fierce anger, the likes of which they’ve never experienced before.

6:1. Listen up everyone, God is speaking; go ahead and argue your case before the mountains, and let the hills listen to you.

6:2. Mountains, listen to God's argument, and you too, strong foundations of Earth: God has an issue with the people, and God is going to discuss it with Israel.

6:3. My people, what have I done to you? How have I made you tired? Tell me if I have.

6:4. Remember how I saved you from Egypt, from a life of slavery? I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.

6:5. My people, think back to what the king of Moab planned against you and how Balaam answered him—from Shittim all the way to Gilgal—you can see how righteous God has been.

6:6. How should I approach God humbly? Should I bring burned offerings or one-year-old calves?

6:7. Does God delight in endless sacrifices or rivers of expensive oil? Should I sacrifice my own child for my mistakes—the child I love for my own failings?

6:8. You've been shown what's right, human: To act fairly, love showing kindness to others, and to live modestly in partnership with your God.

6:9. God speaks to the city, and the person with understanding will recognize who they are: listen to the warning, and consider who has given it.

6:10. Do you still hold onto ill-gotten wealth in your corrupt homes, or use dishonest measurements that are detestable?

6:11. Should I overlook these corrupted practices, scales rigged for cheating, and purses filled with tampered weights?

6:12. Because your wealthy are prone to aggression, your people tell lies, and they can't be trusted to speak the truth.

6:13. So I'm going to punish you by making you ill and ruin you because of your wrongdoings.

6:14. You will eat but won’t be full; your society will collapse around you; you’ll try to save things but won't manage; and whatever you do save will be doomed in conflict.

6:15. You'll plant crops but won’t harvest them; you'll press olives but won’t use the oil; you’ll make wine but won't get to drink it.

6:16. You adhere to corrupt policies of past leaders' legacies and follow advice that leads to ruin—so I'm going into action against you, making your homeland an object of ridicule; therefore, the disgrace of your actions will fall on everyone connected with you.

7:1. I feel terrible! It's like I'm looking for fruit after the harvest, but there's nothing left to eat. I really want some fresh, ripe fruit, but there isn't any.

7:2. It seems like all the good and honest people have disappeared from the world. Everyone is out to hurt others; they're setting traps to catch their own family members.

7:3. People are eager to do harmful things. Leaders and judges are corrupt, only doing things for personal gain; even powerful individuals announce their harmful wishes and manage to get away with them.

7:4. The kindest person is like a prickly bush; even the most honest are more painful than a thorn bush. The time when you could count on protectors and expect consequences is coming to an end; now everyone will be confused and unsure.

7:5. Don't trust your friends or rely on anyone to guide you. Be careful about what you say, even to your partner.

7:6. Disrespect is common in families: children don't honor their parents, family conflicts are everywhere, and it feels like your own family members are against you.

7:7. So, I'll turn my attention to God; I'll be patient and wait for God who will save me: my God will listen to me.

7:8. Don't be happy at my struggles, you who are against me. If I stumble, I'll get back up. If I'm in the dark, God will light my way.

7:9. I'll endure the consequences of my mistakes because I've done wrong, waiting for God to defend me and set things right. God will guide me back to the light, and I will see the good that God does.

7:10. Then the one who went against me will witness this change and will feel embarrassed for taunting me with "Where is your God now?" That’s when I’ll see her downfall and she’ll end up forgotten like dirt on the streets.

7:11. The day will come when something needs rebuilding, and at that time, restrictions will be lifted.

7:12. On that day, people will come to you from far lands – from Assyria to the well-defended cities, reaching from one sea to another sea, from one mountain range to another.

7:13. But because of how the people there have acted, the land will become a wasteland.

7:14. Provide for your people with guidance like a shepherd uses their staff: take care of those who belong to you, who live alone in the forested highlands of Carmel – let them graze in fertile lands like Bashan and Gilead just like in times gone by.

7:15. In the same way that I showed your ancestors miracles when they left Egypt, I’ll show you amazing things.

7:16. Other countries will be amazed and speechless at their powerlessness; they will be so in awe that they won't be able to say or hear anything.

7:17. They will be as low as snakes on the ground, coming out of their hiding places in fear, terrified of God and of what you can do.

7:18. What kind of God is as forgiving as ours, overlooking the mistakes of what's left of God's chosen people? God doesn't stay angry forever because God loves to show kindness.

7:19. God will change our situation for the better, take care of us with tenderness; our wrongdoings will be conquered, and thrown into the deepest parts of the sea to be forgotten.

7:20. You promise to keep your word to Jacob and show the same kindness to Abraham as you pledged long ago to our ancestors.