Micah’s misery and his hope

7 I am very miserable/frustrated!

I am like [SIM] someone who is hungry, who searches for fruit to pick

after all the fruit had been picked

and who finds no grapes or figs to eat.

2 All the godly people have disappeared from this land;

there is not one of them left.

The people who are left are all murderers [MTY];

it is as though everyone is eager to kill his fellow countryman.

3 They all use both hands to do what is evil.

Government officials and judges all ask for bribes.

Important people tell others what they want,

and they plot/scheme together about how to get it done.

4 Even the best people are as worthless [SIM] as briers;

the people who are considered by others to be [IRO] the most honest are worse than clumps of thornbushes.

But, Yahweh will soon judge them;

now is the time that he will punish people,

a time when they will be very confused because of being defeated.

5 So, do not trust anyone!

Do not trust even a friend;

even be careful what you say to your wife whom you love!

6 Boys will despise their fathers,

and girls will defy their mothers.

Women will defy their mothers-in-law.

Your enemies will be those who live in your own houses.

7 As for me, I wait for Yahweh to help me.

I confidently expect that God, my Savior, will answer me when I pray.