Israel’s False Conception of the Lord’s Character and Demands

6 Hear now what the Lord is saying:

Arise, present your complaint before the mountains,

let the hills hear your voice!

2 Hear, mountains, the Lord’s accusation,

listen, foundations of the earth.

For the Lord has a case against his people.

He has a dispute with Israel.

3 ‘My people, what have I done to you.

How have I displeased you? Answer me!

4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,

from the land of slavery I redeemed you.

I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.

5 My people, what did Balak, king of Moab counsel?

And how did Balaam, the son of Beor, answer him?

Remember now the journey from Shittim to Gilgal,

so that you might realise the just deeds of the Lord.’

6 With what should I come before the Lord?

Bow myself before the God on high?

Should I come before him with burnt-offerings,

with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

With ten thousand streams of oil?

Should I give him my firstborn son for my guilt,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 The Lord has told you what is good,

what he demands of you:

Only to do justice and love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.