Micah 2

1Ah, those who plan iniquityAnd design evil on their beds;When morning dawns, they do it,For they have the power.

2They covet fields, and seize them;Houses, and take them away.They defraud men of their homes,And people of their land.

3Assuredly, thus said GOD: I am planning such a misfortune against this clan that you will not be able to free your necks from it. You will not be able to walk erect; it will be such a time of disaster.

4In that day,One shall recite a poem about you,And utter a bitter lament,And shall say:“My people’s portion changes hands;How it slips away from me!Our field is allotted to a rebel. We are utterly ravaged.”

5Truly, none of youShall cast a lot cord In the assembly of GOD!

6“Stop preaching!” they preach.“That’s no way to preach;Shame shall not overtake [us].

7Is the House of Jacob condemned? Is GOD’s patience short?Has such been the practice?”To be sure, My words are friendlyTo those who walk in rectitude;

8But an enemy arises against My people.You strip the mantle with the cloak Off such as pass unsuspecting,Who are turned away from war.

9You drive the women of My people awayFrom their pleasant homes;You deprive their infantsOf My glory forever.

10Up and depart!This is no resting placeBecause of [your] defilement.Terrible destruction shall befall.

11If someone were to go about utteringWindy, baseless falsehoods:“I’ll preach to you in favor of wine and liquor”—That would be a preacher [acceptable] to this people.

12I will assemble Jacob, all of you;I will bring together the remnant of Israel;I will make them all like sheep of Bozrah,].” Like a flock inside its pen—They will be noisy with people.

13One who makes a breachGoes before them;They enlarge it to a gateAnd leave by it.Their king marches before them, GOD at their head.