6 

Listen, the Eternal will have 1 his indictment urged

in presence of the mountains,

in hearing of the hills!

2 

Listen to the Eternal’s charge, O mountains,

hear it, O foundations of the earth;

for the Eternal arraigns his people,

and indicts Israel.

3 

“My people, what have I done to you?

Tell me, how have I injured you?

4 

Did I not bring you up from Egypt’s land?

Did I not set you free from slavery?

Did I not send Moses, Aaron, Miriam, to lead you?

5 

My people, what did Balak plan?

And how did Balaam answer him?

Ah, remember it all, from first to last,

from Shittim to Gilgal,

that you may understand the Eternal’s saving power.”

6 

How shall I enter the Eternal’s presence,

and bow before the God of heaven?

Shall I come to him with sacrifices,

with yearling calves to offer?

7 

Would the Eternal care for rams in thousands,

or for oil flowing in myriad streams?

Shall I offer my first-born son for my sin,

fruit of my body for guilt of my soul?

8 

O man, he has told you what is good;

what does the Eternal ask from you

but to he just and kind

and live in quiet fellowship with your God?

9 

Hark, ’tis the Eternal calling to the city:

“Listen, O clan of Judah, O council of citizens--

12 

hard and harsh are the classes,

deceitful are the masses,

with mouths full of falsehood,

10 

Can I forget what rogues have hoarded,

and these accursed scant measures?

11 

Can I condone wrong balances

and short weights in the trader’s bag?

13 

Nay, nay; I will be striking you with ruin for your sins;

14 

you may eat, but you shall never be satisfied,

feeling an inward void;

you may store, but you shall never save,

and what you save I let the sword sweep off;

15 

you may sow, but you shall never reap;

you may crush olives, but you shall never get oil;

you may make vintage, but you shall drink no wine.

16 

For you are following Omri’s customs,

and all the practices of Ahab’s house,

living by their policy;

so I make you a horror,

and your folk a scorn,

to bear the derision of pagans.”