Micah 2
1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
Woe to those who lie awake planning evil, who in the light of morning carry out their plan because they have the power to do it.
2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, then take them away. They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
They covet fields and seize them, desire houses and take them, they crush householder and his household, people and their possessions.
3 Therefore the LORD says: “Behold, I am planning against these people a disaster, from which you will not remove your necks, neither will you walk haughtily, for it is an evil time.
Therefore the Lord says: ‘I am planning disaster from which you cannot save your neck, nor walk proudly because it will be a terrible time.
4 In that day they will take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, saying, ‘We are utterly ruined! My people’s possession is divided up. Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!’”
On that day they will sing a taunt-song to you, this mocking lament: “My people’s estate is being measured for sale, our captors are dividing our fields. We are completely undone.”
5 Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in the LORD’s assembly.
There will be no one to measure out land for you from the Lord’s community.
6 “Don’t prophesy!”—they prophesy— “Don’t prophesy about these things. Disgrace won’t overtake us.”
‘“Don’t rant!” they urge, “Of such things one does not prophesy! Shame will not overtake us!
7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the LORD’s Spirit angry? Are these his doings? Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?”
Is the Lord impatient, or are such things his deeds? Are not his words favourable to the family of Jacob?” Aren’t my commands good for those who obey them?
8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
But you, you stand up as a foe against those who are peaceful; you strip the robe from those who pass by quietly, averse to conflict.
9 You drive the women of my people out from their pleasant houses; from their young children you take away my blessing forever.
Women of my people you drive out from their happy homes, from their young children you take away my glory forever.
10 Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting place, because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction.
Rise and begone, for this is no place to rest. Your uncleanness brings destruction, severe destruction.
11 If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies, saying, “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink,” he would be the prophet of this people.
If a person walking in wine and falsehood were to say, “I will prophesy to you of wine and strong drink,” then he would be the perfect prophet for this people!’
12 I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the middle of their pasture. They will swarm with people.
‘I will assuredly assemble all of Jacob, I will surely gather the survivors of Israel. I will herd them together as sheep in a fold, like a flock in the pasture, and the land will resound with the sounds of multitudes.
13 He who breaks open the way goes up before them. They break through the gate, and go out. Their king passes on before them, with the LORD at their head.
‘The one who breaks out goes first. They have broken forth and passed by the gate and through it have they gone out. Their king leads before them, the Lord at their head.’
