MIC 7:18 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) ⇔ What other God is there like you, who takes away sin?
⇔ Who forgives the disobedience of the remnant of his inherited people?
⇔ He doesn’t stay angry forever,
⇔ because he happily demonstrates his loyal commitment.

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative, blue:Elohim.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Τίς Θεὸς ὥσπερ σὺ; ἐξαίρων ἀνομίας, καὶ ὑπερβαίνων ἀσεβείας τοῖς καταλοίποις τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ; καὶ οὐ συνέσχεν εἰς μαρτύριον ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι θελητὴς ἐλέους ἐστίν.
(Tis Theos hōsper su; exairōn anomias, kai huperbainōn asebeias tois kataloipois taʸs klaʸronomias autou; kai ou sunesⱪen eis marturion orgaʸn autou, hoti thelaʸtaʸs eleous estin. )

BrTr Who is a God like thee, cancelling iniquities, and passing over the sins of the remnant of his inheritance? and he has not kept his anger for a testimony, for he delights in mercy.

ULT Who is a God like you—
⇔ who takes away sin,
⇔ who passes over the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?
⇔ He does not keep his anger forever,
⇔ because he delights in his covenant faithfulness.

UST Yahweh, there is no God like you;
⇔ you forgive the sins that the people who have survived committed,
⇔ the people who belong to you.
⇔ You do not remain angry forever;
⇔ you are very happy to show us that you faithfully love us.

7:18 Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.

OEB ⇔ Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity
⇔ and passing by the rebellion of the remnant of your people?
⇔ He does not retain his anger forever, but is one who delights in mercy.

CSB Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love.

NLT Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.

NIV Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

CEV Our God, no one is like you. We are all that is left of your chosen people, and you freely forgive our sin and guilt. You don't stay angry forever; you're glad to have pity

ESV Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

NASB Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.

LSB Who is a God like You, who forgives iniquity And passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold fast to His anger forever Because He delights in lovingkindness.

WEBBE Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity,
⇔ and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage?
⇔ He doesn’t retain his anger forever,
⇔ because he delights in loving kindness.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(18-20)Where is the god who can compare with you—
  wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear,
  to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long,
  for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most.
And compassion is on its way to us.
  You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing.
You’ll sink our sins
  to the bottom of the ocean.
You’ll stay true to your word to Father Jacob
  and continue the compassion you showed Grandfather Abraham—
Everything you promised our ancestors
  from a long time ago.

NET There is no other God like you!
⇔ You forgive sin
⇔ and pardon the rebellion
⇔ of those who remain among your people.
⇔ You do not remain angry forever,
⇔ but delight in showing loyal love.

LSV Who [is] a God like You? Taking away iniquity,
And passing by the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance,
He has not retained His anger forever,
Because He delights [in] kindness.

FBV Who is a God like you who forgives sin and passes over the rebellion of those who are left of his special people? You do not remain angry forever because you delight in showing faithful love.

T4T Yahweh, there is no [RHQ] God like you;
⇔ you forgive the sins [DOU] that were committed by the people who have survived,
⇔ the people who belong to you.
⇔ You do not remain angry forever;
⇔ you are very happy to show us that you faithfully love us.

LEB • Who is a God like you, forgiving sin and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance?
• He does not retain his anger forever,
• for he delights in loyal love.

NRSV Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency.

NKJV Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.

NAB Who is a God like you, who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy,

BBE Who is a God like you, offering forgiveness for evil-doing and overlooking the sins of the rest of his heritage? he does not keep his wrath for ever, because his delight is in mercy.

Moff Who is a God like thee?--forgiving sins
⇔ and passing over wrong,
⇔ in the survivors of thy folk,
⇔ not holding to thine anger for all time,
⇔ delighting to be merciful;

JPS Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth the iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.

ASV Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.

DRA Who is a God like to thee, who takest away iniquity, and passest by the sin of the remnant of thy inheritance? he will send his fury in no more, because he delighteth in mercy.

YLT Who [is] a God like Thee? taking away iniquity, And passing by the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance, He hath not retained for ever His anger, Because He — He delighteth [in] kindness.

Drby Who is a [fn]God like unto thee, that forgiveth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in loving-kindness.

7.18 El

RV Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
(Who is a God like unto thee/you, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth/passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth/delights in mercy. )

SLT Who is God as thee, lifting up iniquity and passing by transgression to the remnant of his inheritance? he held not his anger forever for he delighted in mercy.

Wbstr Who is a God like to thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

KJB-1769 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
(Who is a God like unto thee/you, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth/passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth/delights in mercy. )

KJB-1611 Who is a God like vnto thee, that pardoneth iniquitie, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? hee retaineth not his anger for euer, because he delighteth in mercy.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Who is such a God as thou, that pardonest wickednesse, and forgeuest the offences of the remnaunt of thyne heritage? He kepeth not his wrath for euer: for his delite is to haue compassion.
(Who is such a God as thou/you, that pardonest wickedness, and forgeuest the offences of the remnant of thine/your heritage? He keepeth/keeps not his wrath forever: for his delight is to have compassion.)

Gnva Who is a God like vnto thee, that taketh away iniquitie, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage! He reteineth not his wrath for euer, because mercie pleaseth him.
(Who is a God like unto thee/you, that taketh/takes away iniquity, and passeth/passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage! He reteineth not his wrath forever, because mercy pleaseth/pleases him. )

Cvdl Where is there soch a God as thou? that pardonest wickednes, and forgeuest the offences of the remnaunt of thine heretage? He kepeth not his wrath for euer. And why? his delyte is to haue compassion:
(Where is there such a God as thou? that pardonest wickedness, and forgeuest the offences of the remnant of thine/your heritage? He keepeth/keeps not his wrath forever. And why? his delight is to have compassion:)

Wycl God, who is lijk thee, that doist awei wickidnesse, and berist ouer the synne of relifs of thin eritage? He shal no more sende in his stronge veniaunce, for he is willynge merci; he schal turne ayen,
(God, who is like thee/you, that dost/do away wickedness, and bearest/bear over the sin of remains/fragments of thin heritage? He shall no more send in his strong vengeance, for he is willing mercy; he shall turn again,)

Luth Wo ist solch ein GOtt, wie du bist? der die Sünde vergibt und erlässet die Missetat den Übrigen seines Erbteils; der seinen Zorn nicht ewiglich behält; denn er ist barmherzig.
(Where is such a God, as/like you(sg) are? the/of_the the sin(n) forgives and erlässet the misdeed/iniquity the remainder his Erbteils; the/of_the his anger not forever keeps; because/than he is merciful.)

ClVg Quis, Deus, similis tui, qui aufers iniquitatem, et transis peccatum reliquiarum hæreditatis tuæ? Non immittet ultra furorem suum, quoniam volens misericordiam est.
(Who, God, similar yours(sg), who/which aufers iniquity, and transis sin remains inheritance yours? Not/No immittet beyond/besides fury his_own, since/because willing mercy it_is. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:14–20: A prayer to the LORD for restoration, and praise for his mercy

This section has two main parts. The first part, 7:14–17, contains prayers to the LORD for the restoration of his people and the defeat of their enemies. The second part, 18–20, is a hymn of praise to the LORD for his compassion and his faithful relationship with Israel. These Notes and the Display will assume that the main speaker is Micah, who speaks as a representative of the people.This suggestion is favored by EBC, JFB, TOTC, Mangum, and Waltke 2007. Commentators who suggest that the speaker is the people, collectively, include Achtemeier, NICOT, WBC, and UBS. However, in 7:15 and in 18–20 there are brief changes of speaker and/or addressee. See the notes under paragraph 7:14–17 and under paragraph 7:18–20 for more detailed discussion.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Prayer and Praise (NIV)

The Lord’s compassion on Israel (NLT)

Paragraph 7:18–20

In this paragraph, the subject changes. In 7:14–17, the subject was the nations’ response to the marvelous things that the LORD would do. In this paragraph, the subject is the character of the LORD and his relationship to Israel.

The literary form of this paragraph is probably a hymn.Waltke 2007 (page 444). Micah is the speaker. He represents people of Israel who believe in the LORD. In this hymn, the addressee alternates between the LORD and the people. In 7:18a–c, Micah addresses the LORD. In 7:18d–19b, he addresses the people. In 7:19c–7:20, he again addresses the LORD. The main themes are God’s love and his forgiveness of sin.

Some versions place a heading here. For example:

God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love (NRSV)

No One is Like God (CEV)

7:18

In this verse, Micah asks a rhetorical question to highlight how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the sins of his people because of his special love for them, based on their covenant relationship.

7:18a

Who is a God like You,

¶ Who is like you^(sing), God?
¶ Our^(excl) God, there is no one like you!

Who is a God like You: EBC (page 551) notes that the name “Micah” means “who is like the LORD?” It is unclear whether or not this rhetorical question is an intentional play on words. This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “no one.”Waltke 2007 (page 444).

The question intends to imply that Israel’s God is unlike any of the false gods of other nations.UBS (pages 260–261). However, in some languages, this question may wrongly imply that there are other gods. If that is true in your language, here is another way to translate it:

Our God, no one is like you. (CEV)

This rhetorical question can also be expressed as a statement. An example is the CEV above.

7:18b–c

who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—

You^(sing) pardon sin and pass over the rebellion of those who remain of your people.
You forgive sin and remove the guilt of your people who are still alive.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^18b who pardons iniquity

^18cand passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—

In these lines, Micah explains how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the iniquity of the remnant of his people.

who pardons iniquity…passes over the transgression: The phrase who pardons iniquity is more literally “lifts up/removes sin/guilt and its penalties.”Mounce (page 998 and 1007) and CBC (page 345). The phrase passes over the transgression means “pass over rebellion/sin.”Mounce (page 1005 and 1024). These phrases are two ways to say that God forgives sin.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

removes guilt and pardons sin (NAB)

forgive sin and pardon the rebellion (NET)

freely forgive our sin and guilt (CEV)

the remnant of His inheritance: This phrase indicates who the referents are in this hymn. They are the ones whose transgression is passed over. There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

This phrase refers to the people of Israel who remained after the nation was punished.Favored by UBS (page 261). This interpretation fits the previous context well. For example, this is the meaning in Micah 2:12, 4:7, and 5:7–8. For example:
your people who are left alive (NCV) (CEV, GNT, NCV, NET, NLT96)
The phrase refers to all of God’s people. The phrase the remnant is another way to say His inheritance.Favored by Waltke 2007 (page 444), who suggests that the word “remnant” is in apposition to “his inheritance.” The two words refer to the same people, the remnant, that is, his inheritance. This interpretation fits the following context well. For example, 7:20 refers to God’s promise to be faithful to Jacob and Abraham, the ancestors of all the people of Israel. For example:
who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people (NLT)The parallel lines suggest that Micah described the same group of people in two ways. (NLT)The GW may also follow this interpretation. It has “your faithful people.” However, it is not included here because the meaning is unclear. It may imply that faithful people are a subset of all the people. Or it may imply that all of God’s chosen people are called his faithful people.

Many versions are ambiguous. They can be understood as following either interpretation. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Micah uses the word remnant elsewhere with this meaning. See the notes on 2:12b.

His inheritance: This phrase gives attention to the special relationship that the LORD has with the people of Israel. They are the people he chose to be his own.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your people (NET)

His own people (NJPS)

See the footnote under 7:14b “the flock of Your inheritance” for additional advice on the translation of the word inheritance.

The Hebrew pronoun in this phrase is “his.” However, it may be more natural in some languages to use the second-person pronoun “your” to match the “you” in 7:18a, as some other versions have done.

7:18d

who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

He does not hold on to his anger forever, because it pleases him to show mercy.
You^(sing) do not stay angry forever, but you^(sing) show unfailing love.

who does not retain His anger forever: Micah continues to explain how the God of Israel is unique. In Hebrew, the word retain means “hold.”Mounce (page 932). God does not hold on to his anger against the people who sin.

The Hebrew pronouns in this clause are third-person forms: “he” and “his.” See the note on “His inheritance” above for suggestions on using the pronoun “you” or other forms. The same information also applies to 18d.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Who does not persist in anger forever (NAB)

You do not remain angry forever (NET)

You will not be angry forever (GW)

because: This word introduces the reason why God forgives people instead of remaining angry with them.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

but (NET)

for (REB)

since (NJB)

He delights in loving devotion: This clause part gives the reason why he does not hold on to his anger.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

He delights in unchanging love (NASB)

He loves graciousness! (NJPS)

you take pleasure in showing us your constant love (GNT)

delights: In Hebrew, this word means “desire,” “delight in,” or “have pleasure.”Mounce (page 938). He wants to forgive.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

enjoy (NCV)

pleased to be (CEV)

loving devotion: This phrase is more literally “covenant loyalty.” In Hebrew, this word means “unfailing love,” “loyal love,” “devotion,” “kindness.”Mounce (pages 937–938). It describes the attitude and actions that stem from the covenant relationship between the LORD and his people. The same Hebrew word is used in 6:8c. See the note there on “love mercy.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

loyal love (NET)

be merciful (REB)

faithful love (NJB)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

(Occurrence 0) Who is a God like you—who takes … inheritance?

(Some words not found in UHB: who? god like,you lifting/taking iniquity and_[who],passes on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in transgression to,the_remnant_of his_inheritance_of,of not retain forever, anger_of,his that/for/because/then/when delights showing_clemency he/it )

Micah is emphasizing that there is no God like Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know that there is no God like you, who takes … inheritance.”

(Occurrence 0) the remnant of his inheritance

Alternate translation: “those of his chosen people who have survived his punishment”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

(Occurrence 0) you … of the remnant of his inheritance? He does not keep his anger forever, because he delights in his covenant faithfulness.

Here the words “his” and “he” can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “you … of the remnant of your inheritance, who do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in your covenant faithfulness?” or “you … of the remnant of your inheritance? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delights in your covenant faithfulness.”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

(Occurrence 0) he delights in his covenant faithfulness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word faithfulness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful.” Alternate translation: “he delights in being faithful to his covenant” or “he delights in being faithful to his people”

(Occurrence 0) passes over

ignores

(Occurrence 0) does not keep his anger

Alternate translation: “does not stay angry”

Parallel MIC 7:18

Section 7:14–20: A prayer to the LORD for restoration, and praise for his mercy

Paragraph 7:18–20

7:18

7:18a

7:18b–c

7:18d