Micah 2

1. Woe to those who think up evil 1 and plan wickedness as they lie in bed. 1 When morning comes, they do it, 1 since they have it in their power.

2. They covet fields and seize them; 2 they take over houses as well, 2 doing violence to both owner and house, 2 to people and their inherited land.

3. Therefore this is what Adonai says: 3 “Against this family I am planning an evil 3 from which you will not withdraw your necks; 3 nor will you walk with your heads held high, 3 for it will be an evil time.”

4. On that day they will take up a dirge for you; 4 sadly lamenting, they will wail, 4 “We are completely ruined! 4 Our people’s land has changed hands. 4 Our fields are taken away from us; 4 instead of restoring them, he parcels them out.”

5. Therefore, you will have no one 5 in the assembly of Adonai 5 to stretch out a measuring line and restore 5 the land assigned by lot.

6. “Don’t preach!” — thus they preach! 6 “They shouldn’t preach about these things. 6 Shame will not overtake us” —

7. is this what the house of Ya‘akov says? 7 Adonai has not grown impatient, 7 and these things are not his doings. 7 “Rather, my words do only good 7 to anyone living uprightly.

8. But lately my people behave like an enemy, 8 stripping both cloaks and tunics 8 from travelers who thought they were secure, 8 so that they become like war refugees.

9. You throw my people’s women 9 out of the homes they love. 9 You deprive their children 9 of my glory forever.

10. Get up and go! You can’t stay here! 10 Because [the land] is now unclean, 10 it will destroy you 10 with a grievous destruction.”

11. If a man who walks in wind and falsehood 11 tells this lie: “I will preach to you 11 of [how good it is to drink] wine and strong liquor” — 11 this people will accept him as their preacher!

12. “I will assemble all of you, Ya‘akov; 12 I will gather the remnant of Isra’el, 12 I will put them together like sheep in a pen, 12 like a herd in its pasture — 12 it will hum with the sounds of people.”

13. The one breaking through went up before them; 13 they broke through, passed the gate and went out. 13 Their king passed on before them; 13 Adonai was leading them.