Micah 6:1-8

New International Reader's Version

“Stand up in court.
    Let the mountains serve as witnesses.
    Let the hills hear what you have to say.”

² Hear the Lord’s case, you mountains.
    Listen, you age-old foundations of the earth.
The Lord has a case against his people Israel.
    He is bringing charges against them.

“My people, what have I done to you?
    Have I made things too hard for you? Answer me.
⁴ I brought your people up out of Egypt.
    I set them free from the land
    where they were slaves.
I sent Moses to lead them.
    Aaron and Miriam helped him.
⁵ Remember how Balak, the king of Moab,
    planned to put a curse on your people.
But Balaam, the son of Beor,
    gave them a blessing instead.
Remember their journey from Shittim to Gilgal.
    I want you to know
    that I always do what is right.”

“What should we bring with us
    when we go to worship the Lord?
What should we offer the God of heaven
    when we bow down to him?
Should we take burnt offerings to him?
    Should we sacrifice calves
    that are a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams?
    Will he take delight in 10,000 rivers of olive oil?
Should we offer our oldest sons
    for the wrong things we’ve done?
Should we sacrifice our own children
    to pay for our sins?”

⁸ The Lord has shown you what is good.
    He has told you what he requires of you.
You must act with justice.
    You must love to show mercy.
And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.