Micah 1:5-16 ▼

5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob (he grasps the heel) and the sins of the house of Israel (he wrestles with God). What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria (watch mountain)? And what is the high place of Judah (praised)? Is it not Jerusalem (city of peace)?

6 Therefore I will make Samaria (watch mountain) a heap of rubble in the open field, a planting area for a vineyard. I will pour her stones into the valley and expose her foundations.

7 All her carved images will be smashed to pieces; all her wages will be burned in the fire, and I will destroy all her idols. Since she collected the wages of a prostitute, they will be used again on a prostitute.

8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal (a serpent) and mourn like an ostrich \like daughters of an ostrich/.

9 For her wound is incurable; it has reached even Judah (praised); it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem itself (city of peace).

10 Do not tell it in Gath (tell); do not weep at all. Roll in the dust (house of dust) in Beth-leaphrah.

11 Depart in shameful nakedness, O dwellers of Shaphir (pleasant). The dwellers of Zaanan (come out) will not come out. Beth-ezel (adjoining house) is in mourning; its support is taken from you⁺.

12 For the dwellers of Maroth (bitter) pined for good, but calamity came down from the LORD {YHWH}, even to the gate of Jerusalem (city of peace).

13 Harness your chariot horses, O dweller of Lachish (team of horses). You were the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel (he wrestles with God) were found in you.

14 Therefore, send farewell gifts (give dowry) to Moresheth-gath (possession of Gath); the houses of Achzib (deception) will prove deceptive to the kings of Israel (he wrestles with God).

15 I will again bring a conqueror against you, O dweller of Mareshah (conqueror). The glory of Israel (he wrestles with God) will come to Adullam (justice of the people).

16 Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.