Micah 3:11
New International Version
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the LORD’s support and say, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.”

New Living Translation
You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the LORD. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the LORD is here among us.”

English Standard Version
Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, “Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.”

Berean Standard Bible
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

King James Bible
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

New King James Version
Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, “Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.”

New American Standard Bible
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD not in our midst? Catastrophe will not come upon us.”

NASB 1995
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.”

NASB 1977
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Her heads pronounce judgment for a bribe, And her priests instruct for a price, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on Yahweh saying, “Is not Yahweh in our midst? Evil will not come upon us.”

Amplified Bible
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests teach for a fee, And her prophets foretell for money; Yet they lean on the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No tragedy or distress will come on us.”

Christian Standard Bible
Her leaders issue rulings for a bribe, her priests teach for payment, and her prophets practice divination for silver. Yet they lean on the LORD, saying, “Isn’t the LORD among us? No disaster will overtake us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Her leaders issue rulings for a bribe, her priests teach for payment, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, saying,” Isn’t the LORD among us? No disaster will overtake us.”

American Standard Version
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet they lean upon Jehovah, and say, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.

Contemporary English Version
You leaders accept bribes for dishonest decisions. You priests and prophets teach and preach, but only for money. Then you say, "The LORD is on our side. No harm will come to us."

English Revised Version
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your leaders exchange justice for bribes. Your priests teach for a price. Your prophets tell the future for money. But they rely on the LORD when they say, "After all, the LORD is with us. Nothing bad will happen to us."

Good News Translation
The city's rulers govern for bribes, the priests interpret the Law for pay, the prophets give their revelations for money--and they all claim that the LORD is with them. "No harm will come to us," they say. "The LORD is with us."

International Standard Version
Her leaders judge for the money, her priests teach only when they're paid , and her prophets prophesy for cash. Even so, don't they all rely on the LORD as they ask, 'The LORD is among us, is he not? Nothing bad can possibly happen to us!'

Majority Standard Bible
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, ?Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.?

NET Bible
Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the LORD and say, "The LORD is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!"

New Heart English Bible
Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money: yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Isn't the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster will come on us."

Webster's Bible Translation
Her heads judge for reward, and her priests teach for hire, and her prophets divine for money; yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.

World English Bible
Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money; yet they lean on Yahweh, and say, “Isn’t Yahweh among us? No disaster will come on us.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Her heads judge for a bribe, "" And her priests teach for hire, "" And her prophets divine for silver, "" And on YHWH they lean, saying, "" “Is not YHWH in our midst? Evil does not come in on us.”

Young's Literal Translation
Her heads for a bribe do judge, And her priests for hire do teach, And her prophets for silver divine, And on Jehovah they lean, saying, 'Is not Jehovah in our midst? Evil doth not come in upon us.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Her heads will judge for a gift, and her priests will teach for hire, and her prophets will divine for silver: and they will lean upon Jehovah, saying, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? he will not bring evil upon us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Her princes have judged for bribes, and her priests have taught for hire, and her prophets divined for money: and they leaned upon the Lord, saying: Is not the Lord in the midst of us? no evil shall come upon us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Her leaders have judged for tributes, and her priests have taught for payment, and her prophets divined for money. And they leaned upon the Lord, saying: “Is not the Lord in our midst? No disaster will overcome us.”

New American Bible
Its leaders render judgment for a bribe, the priests teach for pay, the prophets divine for money, While they rely on the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No evil can come upon us!”

New Revised Standard Version
Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the LORD and say, “Surely the LORD is with us! No harm shall come upon us.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The chiefs thereof judge for a bribe, and its priests teach for hire, and its prophets divine for money; yet they rely upon the LORD, saying, The LORD is among us, no evil can come upon us;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Her Rulers judge for a bribe and her Priests teach for wages and her Prophets consult the oracle for silver, and they rely upon LORD JEHOVAH and they say: ”Behold, LORD JEHOVAH is with us! Evil is not coming upon us!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The heads thereof judge for reward, And the priests thereof teach for hire, And the prophets thereof divine for money; Yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say: 'Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No evil shall come upon us'?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The heads thereof have judged for gifts, and the priests thereof have answered for hire, and her prophets have divined for silver: and yet they have rested on the Lord, saying, Is not the Lord among us? no evil shall come upon us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rulers and Prophets Condemned
10who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” 12Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 6:13
“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

Isaiah 56:11
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Zephaniah 3:3-4
Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. / Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.

Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

Hosea 4:8
They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.

Matthew 23:25
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Luke 11:39
Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

1 Timothy 6:5
and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Titus 1:11
who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.


Treasury of Scripture

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean on the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come on us.

heads.

Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

1 Samuel 8:3
And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

and the priests.

Jeremiah 6:13
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Malachi 1:10
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

and the prophets.

Micah 3:5
Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Isaiah 56:11
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Acts 8:18-20
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, …

yet.

1 Samuel 4:3-6
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies…

Isaiah 48:2
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

Jeremiah 7:4,8-12
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…

and say.

Amos 9:10
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

Jump to Previous
Bribes Disaster Divine Fortunes Heads Hire Judge Judgment Leaders Midst Money Price Priests Pronounce Prophets Reward Teach Thereof
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Bribes Disaster Divine Fortunes Heads Hire Judge Judgment Leaders Midst Money Price Priests Pronounce Prophets Reward Teach Thereof
Micah 3
1. The cruelty of the princes.
5. The falsehood of the prophets.
8. The false security of them both.














Her leaders judge for a bribe
The Hebrew word for "leaders" here is "רֹאשֶׁיהָ" (rosheha), which refers to those in positions of authority and governance. In the context of ancient Israel, leaders were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, as outlined in the Torah. However, Micah condemns them for corruption, as they "judge for a bribe." The term "bribe" (שֹׁחַד, shochad) indicates a perversion of justice, where decisions are influenced by personal gain rather than truth. This highlights a systemic failure in leadership, where justice is compromised, reflecting a broader societal decay.

her priests teach for a price
The priests, or "כֹּהֲנֶיהָ" (kohaneha), were meant to be spiritual leaders, guiding the people in the ways of God. Their role was sacred, involving the teaching of the Law and the performance of religious duties. However, Micah accuses them of teaching "for a price," suggesting that their spiritual guidance is tainted by greed. The Hebrew word "מְחִיר" (mechir) implies a transactional nature to their ministry, which should have been a calling rather than a commercial enterprise. This critique underscores the loss of integrity and the commercialization of spiritual responsibilities.

and her prophets practice divination for money
Prophets, or "נְבִיאֶיהָ" (nevi'eha), were supposed to be the mouthpieces of God, delivering His messages to the people. The practice of "divination" (קָסַם, qasam) for "money" (בַּכֶּסֶף, bakeseph) indicates a departure from true prophecy to fortune-telling or sorcery, which was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This phrase highlights the prophets' betrayal of their divine calling, as they seek financial gain rather than faithfully conveying God's word. It reflects a spiritual crisis where the sacred is profaned for material benefit.

Yet they lean upon the LORD
The phrase "lean upon the LORD" (וְעַל־יְהוָה יִשָּׁעֵנוּ, ve'al-YHWH yisha'enu) suggests a false sense of security and reliance on God. Despite their corrupt practices, the leaders, priests, and prophets claim to depend on the LORD, assuming His protection and favor. This reveals a deep hypocrisy, as their actions contradict the covenantal relationship with God, which demands justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). Their misplaced confidence is a warning against presuming upon God's grace while living in disobedience.

saying, 'Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.'
This rhetorical question, "Is not the LORD among us?" (הֲלוֹא יְהוָה בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ, halo YHWH beqirbenu), reflects a misguided assurance of divine presence. The leaders' declaration that "No disaster will come upon us" (לֹא־תָבוֹא עָלֵינוּ רָעָה, lo-tavo aleinu ra'ah) is a dangerous presumption. Historically, Israel believed that God's presence in the temple guaranteed their safety. However, Micah's prophecy challenges this notion, emphasizing that God's presence is contingent upon faithfulness and obedience. This serves as a sobering reminder that divine favor is not unconditional but requires a life aligned with God's will.

(11) For reward.--Every function is carried out by judges, priests, and prophets through bribery, and yet they claim and count upon the protection of Jehovah. They rely for safety upon the presence of the sacred buildings; they cry, "The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord are these!" "Is not the Lord among us?" Isaiah contrasts in scathing terms the profession of holiness with the vicious life as seen in Jerusalem, and likens the city, with its rulers, to Sodom (Micah 1:10-15).

Verse 11. - Judge for reward. The very judges take bribes (Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:12), which the Law so stringently forbade (see Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19, etc.). The priests thereof teach for hire. The priests were bound to teach and explain the Law, and decide questions of religion and ritual (Leviticus 10:11; Deuteronomy 17:11; Deuteronomy 33:10; comp. Haggai 2:11, etc.). This they ought to have done gratuitously, but they corruptly made it a source of gain. Divine for money. The accusation in ver. 5 is repeated. These false prophets sold their oracles, pretending to have a suitable revelation when paid for it (Ezekiel 22:28; Zephaniah 3:3, 4). Yet will they lean upon the Lord. These priests and prophets were worshippers of Jehovah and trusted in him, as though he could not fosake his people. They had faith without love, divorced religion from morality, made a certain outward conformity serve for righteousness and truth. Is not the Lord among us? (Exodus 17:7). As though the very fact that they had in their midst the temple, wherein Jehovah's presence was assured, would protect them from all harm, whatever their conduct might he. Such presumptuous confidence is reproved by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:4, 8, etc.; comp. Amos 5:14, and note there).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Her leaders
רָאשֶׁ֣יהָ ׀ (rā·še·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

judge
יִשְׁפֹּ֗טוּ (yiš·pō·ṭū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

for a bribe,
בְּשֹׁ֣חַד (bə·šō·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7810: A present, bribe

her priests
וְכֹהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙ (wə·ḵō·hă·ne·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

teach
יוֹר֔וּ (yō·w·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

for a price,
בִּמְחִ֣יר (bim·ḥîr)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages

and her prophets
וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָ (ū·nə·ḇî·’e·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

practice divination
יִקְסֹ֑מוּ (yiq·sō·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7080: To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine

for money.
בְּכֶ֣סֶף (bə·ḵe·sep̄)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

Yet they lean
יִשָּׁעֵ֣נוּ (yiš·šā·‘ê·nū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8172: To lean, support oneself

upon
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is not
הֲל֤וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

among us?
בְּקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ (bə·qir·bê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

No
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

disaster
רָעָֽה׃ (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

can come
תָב֥וֹא (ṯā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

upon us.?
עָלֵ֖ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Prophets: Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for bribes and her (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 3:10
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