1:1 This is the prophetic message that the Lord gave to1 Micah of Moresheth. He delivered this message2 during the reigns of3 Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. The prophecies pertain to4 Samaria5 and Jerusalem.6
The Judge is Coming
Pay attention, O earth and all that is in it!8
The sovereign Lord will testify against you,
the Lord who is coming9 from his majestic palace.10
1:3 For, look, the Lord is leaving his dwelling place
and he will descend and march on the earth’s mountaintops.11
1:4 The mountains will disintegrate12 beneath him,
and the valleys will be split in two.13
The mountains will melt14 like wax in a fire,
the rocks will slide down like water flows down a steep slope.15
1:5 All this is because of Jacob’s rebellion
and16 the sins of the nation17 of Israel.
How has Jacob rebelled, you ask?18
Samaria epitomizes their rebellion!19
Where are Judah’s pagan worship centers, you ask?20
They are right in Jerusalem!21
1:6 “I will make Samaria22 a heap of ruins in an open field—
vineyards will be planted there!23
I will roll24 her stones down into the valley,
and uncover her foundations.
1:7 All her idols will be crushed to bits,
all the precious metal used to make idols will be burned,25
and I will destroy26 all her images.
Since27 she gathered the metal28 as a prostitute collects her wages,
the idols will become a prostitute’s wages again.”29
1:8 For this reason I30 will mourn and wail;
I will walk around barefoot31 and without my outer garments.32
I will howl33 like a wild dog,34
1:9 For Samaria’s37 disease38 is incurable,
and it has infected39 Judah,
and has struck40 the leadership41 of my people in Jerusalem.42
1:10 Don’t spread the news in Gath!43
Don’t shed even a single tear!44
In Beth Leaphra sit in the dust!45
1:11 Residents46 of Shaphir,47 pass by in nakedness and humiliation!48
The residents of Zaanan can’t leave their city.49
“He takes from you what he desires.”52
1:12 Indeed, the residents of Maroth53 wait for something good to happen,54
though the Lord has sent disaster against the gate of Jerusalem.55
1:13 Residents of Lachish,56 hitch the horses to the chariots!
You57 influenced Daughter Zion58 to sin,59
for Israel’s rebellious deeds were discovered in you.
1:14 Therefore you60 will have to say farewell61 to Moresheth Gath.
The residents62 of Aczib63 will be a disappointment64 to the kings of Israel.65
1:15 Residents of Mareshah,66 a conqueror will attack you,67
the leaders of Israel shall flee to Adullam.68
1:16 Shave your heads bald as you mourn for the children you love;69
shave your foreheads as bald70 as an eagle’s,71
for they are taken from you into exile.
Land Robbers Will Lose their Land