1Now listen to what Yahweh says: “Stand up, present your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.
2Listen, you mountains, to Yahweh’s dispute, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a complaint against his people, and he will argue his case with Israel.”
3My people, what have I done to you? How have I made life difficult for you? Answer me!
4I brought you up out of Egypt and freed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.
5My people, remember what Balak, king of Moab, planned, and what Balaam, son of Beor, told him from Shittim to Gilgal. Remember these things so you can understand Yahweh's good deeds.
6How can I come before Yahweh and bow down to the most high God? Should I come with burnt offerings, with calves that are a year old?
7Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, or with tens of thousands of rivers of olive oil? Should I sacrifice my firstborn child for my disobedience? The child of my own body for the sin of my soul?
8He has shown you, O person, what is good. What does Yahweh want from you? Only to act fairly, to love kindness, and to live humbly with your God.
9Yahweh's voice calls out to the city, and wisdom recognizes your name: “Pay attention to the discipline, and to the one who sent it.
10Are there still ill-gotten riches in the homes of wicked people? And a short measure for grain that is cursed?
11Can I be innocent if I use dishonest scales and a bag of rigged weights?
12Her rich men are full of violence, her people tell lies, and their words are deceitful.
13Therefore, I have also struck you with a severe wound. I have ruined you because of your sins.
14You will eat, but you won't be satisfied. You will feel humiliation inside you. You will gather things, but you won't keep them; and what you do save, I will hand over to war.
15You will plant, but you won't harvest. You will press olives, but you won't anoint yourselves with oil; and you will crush grapes, but you won't drink the wine.
16This is because you follow the laws of Omri and all the practices of Ahab's family. You live by their advice. So I will make you a ruin and your people a cause for people to hiss at. You will suffer the disgrace of my people.”