\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Micah}
{\MT Micah

\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The Superscription to Micah’s Sermons
\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}The
{\ND{
Lord}}’s
message
which
came
to
Micah
of Morsheth
in
the
reigns
of
Jotham,
Ahaz
and
Hezekiah,
kings
of
Judah.
The
visions
he
saw
about
Samaria
and
Jerusalem.
\par }{\SH The
Lord’s
Judgment
on
Guilty
Samaria
and
Judah
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Listen,
all
you
peoples!
\par }{\Q Pay
attention,
all
you
inhabitants
of
the
earth!
\par }{\Q For
the
Lord
{\ND{
God}}
will
be
a
witness
against
you,
\par }{\Q the
Lord
from
his
holy
temple!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}The
{\ND{
Lord}}
is
coming
from
his
holy
place,
\par }{\Q he
descends
and
treads
on
the
heights
of
the
earth,
\par }{\Q \VS{4}so
that
the
mountains
melt
beneath
\par }{\Q like
wax
in
the
presence
of
the
fire,
\par }{\Q and
the
valleys
break
apart
\par }{\Q like
water
poured
down
a
steep
descent.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}All
this
is
because
of
the
crime
of
Jacob,
\par }{\Q and
for
the
sin
of
the
house
of
Israel.
\par }{\Q What
was
the
crime
of
Jacob?
\par }{\Q Was
it
not
Samaria?
\par }{\Q What
is
the
sin
of
Judah?
\par }{\Q Is
it
not
Jerusalem?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}‘I
will
make
Samaria
a
ruin
in
an
open
field,
\par }{\Q and
a
place
where
a
vineyard
is
planted,
\par }{\Q I
will
hurl
down
her
stones
into
the
valley,
\par }{\Q and
lay
bare
her
foundations.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}‘All
her
images
will
be
shattered,
\par }{\Q and
all
her
statues
will
be
burned
with
fire,
\par }{\Q and
all
her
idols
I
will
lay
in
ruins.
\par }{\Q For
they
were
acquired
by
prostitution,
\par }{\Q and
to
prostitution
they
will
return.’
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}This
is
why
I
will
mourn
and
wail,
\par }{\Q I
will
go
barefoot
and
naked,
\par }{\Q I
will
howl
like
the
jackals
\par }{\Q and
mourn
like
the
desert
owl.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}For
the
blow
that
Samaria
has
received
is
incurable.
\par }{\Q It
has
spread
over
Judah,
\par }{\Q it
extends
even
to
the
gate
of
my
people,
\par }{\Q even
to
Jerusalem.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}Don’t
tell
this
in
Gath!
\par }{\Q Don’t
even
cry –
but
sit
in
the
dust
at Beth-leaphrah.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}Pass
by,
inhabitants
of
Shaphir,
naked
and
ashamed!
\par }{\Q The
inhabitants
of
Zaanan
cannot
leave
their
city.
\par }{\Q Beth-ezel
laments
and
removes
its
support
from
you.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}The
inhabitants
of
Maroth
wait
anxiously
for
good!
\par }{\Q But
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
has
sent
disaster
to
the
gates
of
Jerusalem.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}Harness
the
horse
to
the
chariot,
inhabitants
of
Lachish.
\par }{\Q You
led
the
daughter
of
Zion,
Jerusalem,
into
sin,
\par }{\Q in
you
are
found
the
crimes
of
Israel.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}Therefore
you
must
give
parting
gifts
to
Moresheth-gath.
\par }{\Q Beth-achzib
will
betray
the
kings
of
Israel.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}I
will
hand
you
to
a
conqueror,
people
of
Mareshah,
\par }{\Q the
leaders
of
Israel
will
hide
in
Adullam
Cave!
\par }{\Q \VS{16}Shave
your
head
in
morning
for
the
children
you
love,
\par }{\Q until
you
are
bald
as
vultures,
because
they
have
left
you
for
exile.

\par }\Chap{2}{\SH The Oppression of the Poor
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Woe
to
those
who
lie
awake
planning
evil,
\par }{\Q who
in
the
light
of
morning
carry
out
their
plan
\par }{\Q because
they
have
the
power
to
do
it.
\par }{\Q \VS{2}They
covet
fields
and
seize
them,
\par }{\Q desire
houses
and
take
them,
\par }{\Q they
crush householder
and
his
household,
\par }{\Q people
and
their
possessions.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Therefore
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
says:
\par }{\Q ‘I
am
planning
disaster
from
which
you
cannot
save
your
neck,
\par }{\Q nor
walk
proudly
because
it
will
be
a
terrible
time.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}On
that
day
they
will
sing
a
taunt-song
to
you,
\par }{\Q this
mocking
lament:
\par }{\Q “My
people’s
estate
is
being
measured
for
sale,
\par }{\Q our
captors
are
dividing
our
fields.
\par }{\Q We
are
completely
undone.”
\par }{\Q \VS{5}There
will
be
no
one
to
measure
out
land
for
you
\par }{\Q from
the
{\ND{
Lord}}’s
community.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}‘ “Don’t rant!”
they
urge, “Of
such
things
one
does
not
prophesy!
\par }{\Q Shame
will
not
overtake
us!
\par }{\Q \VS{7}Is
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
impatient,
or
are
such
things
his
deeds?
\par }{\Q Are
not
his
words
favourable
to
the
family
of
Jacob?”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q Aren’t
my
commands
good
for
those
who
obey
them?
\par }{\Q \VS{8}But
you,
you
stand
up
as
a
foe
against
those
who
are
peaceful;
\par }{\Q you
strip
the
robe
from
those
who
pass
by
quietly,
averse
to
conflict.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}Women
of
my
people
you
drive
out
from
their
happy
homes,
\par }{\Q from
their
young
children
you
take
away
my
glory
forever.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}Rise
and begone,
for
this
is
no
place
to
rest.
\par }{\Q Your
uncleanness
brings
destruction,
severe
destruction.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}If
a
person
walking
in
wine
and
falsehood
were
to
say,
\par }{\Q “I
will
prophesy
to
you
of
wine
and
strong
drink,”
\par }{\Q then
he
would
be
the
perfect
prophet
for
this
people!’
\par }{\SH The
Lord
Leading
Back
His
Scattered
People
\par }{\Q \VS{12}‘I
will
assuredly
assemble
all
of
Jacob,
\par }{\Q I
will
surely
gather
the
survivors
of
Israel.
\par }{\Q I
will
herd
them
together
as
sheep
in
a
fold,
\par }{\Q like
a
flock
in
the
pasture,
\par }{\Q and
the
land
will resound
with
the
sounds
of
multitudes.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}‘The
one
who
breaks
out
goes
first.
\par }{\Q They
have
broken
forth
and
passed
by
the
gate
\par }{\Q and
through
it
have
they
gone
out.
\par }{\Q Their
king
leads
before
them,
\par }{\Q the
{\ND{
Lord}}
at
their
head.’

\par }\Chap{3}{\SH The Crimes of Judah’s Civil and Spiritual Leaders
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}I
also
said:
\par }{\Q ‘Listen
now,
leaders
of
Jacob,
\par }{\Q judges
of
the
house
of
Israel.
\par }{\Q Is
it
not
your
duty
to
know
what
is
the
right?
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Haters
of
that
which
is
good
and
lovers
of
evil!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}‘They
devour
the
flesh
of
my
people,
\par }{\Q and
their
hide
they
strip
from
off
them,
\par }{\Q and
break
in
pieces
and
serve
up
their
bones,
\par }{\Q like
meat
in
a
pot
or
the
cooking
pan!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}‘Then
they
will
cry
out
to
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q but
he
will
not
pay
attention
to
them.
\par }{\Q He
will
hide
his
face
from
them
at
that
time
\par }{\Q because
they
have
committed
such
crimes.’
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Therefore
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
says:
\par }{\Q ‘To
the
prophets
who
lead
my
people
astray,
\par }{\Q who
when
they
have
food
between
their
teeth
declare
peace,
\par }{\Q but
against
one
who
puts
nothing
in
their
mouths,
\par }{\Q they
proclaim
an
open
war!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}‘Night
will
overtake
you
so
that
you
have
no
vision,
\par }{\Q and
darkness
so
that
there
will
be
no
divination,
\par }{\Q and
the
sun
will
go
down
on
the
prophets,
\par }{\Q and
the
day
shall
be
dark
over
them.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}‘The
seers
will
be
ashamed,
\par }{\Q and
the
diviners
will
turn
pale,
\par }{\Q all
of
them
will
cover
their
mouths.
\par }{\Q For
there
will
be
no
answer
from
God.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}‘But
I,
on
the
contrary
am
full
of
power,
\par }{\Q and
the
sense
of
justice
and
strength,
\par }{\Q to
make
known
to
Jacob
his
crime,
\par }{\Q and
to
Israel
his
sin.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{9}‘Hear
this,
leaders
of
the
house
of
Jacob,
\par }{\Q judges
of
the
house
of
Israel,
\par }{\Q you
who
spurn
justice,
\par }{\Q and
make
all
that
is
straight
crooked,
\par }{\Q \VS{10}who
build
Zion
with
acts
of
bloodshed,
\par }{\Q and
Jerusalem
with
crime.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}‘The
leaders
render
judgment
for
a
bribe,
\par }{\Q and
her
priests
give
oracles
for
a
reward,
\par }{\Q and
her
prophets
divine
for
silver.
\par }{\Q Yet
they
claim
to
rely
on
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q “The
{\ND{
Lord}}”,
they
say, “is
in
our
midst.
\par }{\Q Evil
cannot
overtake
us.”
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{12}‘Therefore
for
your
sakes
\par }{\Q Zion
will
be
plowed
as
a
field,
\par }{\Q and
Jerusalem
will
become
a
heap
of
ruins,
\par }{\Q and
the
temple
mount
a
wooded
height.’

\par }\Chap{4}{\SH The Peace and Worldwide Renown of Zion
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}In
the
days
to
come
\par }{\Q the
mountain
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
will
be
established,
\par }{\Q the
house
of
our
God
on
the
top
of
the
mountain,
\par }{\Q lifted
above
the
hills.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q All
the
nations
will
flow
to
it,
\par }{\Q \VS{2}and
many
peoples
will
go
and
say,
\par }{\Q ‘Come,
let
us
go
up
to
the
{\ND{
Lord}}’s
mount,
\par }{\Q to
the
house
of
the
God
of
Jacob,
\par }{\Q so
that
he
may
instruct
us
in
his
ways,
\par }{\Q so
that
we
may
walk
in
his
paths.’
\par }{\Q For
from
Zion
proceeds
instruction
\par }{\Q and
the
{\ND{
Lord}}’s
word
from
Jerusalem.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}He
will arbitrate
between
many
peoples,
\par }{\Q and
render
decisions
for
numerous
nations,
\par }{\Q They
will
beat
their
swords
into ploughshares,
\par }{\Q and
their
spears
into
pruning
hooks.
\par }{\Q Nation
will
not
lift
up
sword
against
nation,
\par }{\Q they
will
learn
war
no
more.
\par }{\Q \VS{4}They
will
live
each
under
his
vine,
\par }{\Q and
under
his
fig
tree,
with
none
to
terrify
them.
\par }{\Q For
the
mouth
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
of
hosts
has
spoken.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Each
nation
trusts
in
the
names
of
their
gods,
\par }{\Q but
we
will
worship
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
our
God
forever.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}‘On
that
day,’
says
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q ‘I
will
assemble
the
lame.
\par }{\Q I
will
gather
exiles
I
punished.
\par }{\Q \VS{7}I
will
restore
the
lame
as
a
remnant,
\par }{\Q the
exiles
into
a
great
nation.
\par }{\Q The
{\ND{
Lord}}
will
rule
over
them
\par }{\Q on
Mount
Zion
from
that
time
forever.’
\par }{\Q \VS{8}But
you,
watchtower
for
the
flock,
\par }{\Q hill
of
the
daughter
of
Zion,
\par }{\Q to
you
will
return
your
former
rule.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}So
why
do
you
now
cry
aloud?
Haven’t
you
any
king?
\par }{\Q Or
has
your
counsellor
perished,
so
you
writhe
in
pain
like
a
woman
in
labour?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}Writhe
and scream,
daughter
of
Zion,
like
a
woman
in
labour!
\par }{\Q For
now
you
must
leave
the
city
and
camp
in
the
open
field.
\par }{\Q You
will
be
taken
to
Babylon,
but
there
will
be
rescued.
\par }{\Q There
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
will
save
you
from
the
hands
of
your
foes.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}But
now
many
nations
gather
against
you.
\par }{\Q They
say, ‘Let
her
be
defiled,
we
will
gloat
over
Zion.’
\par }{\Q \VS{12}But
they
do
not
know
the
thoughts
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}.
\par }{\Q They
do
not
understand
his
plan,
\par }{\Q for
he
has
gathered
them
like
sheaves
for
the
threshing
floor.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}‘Arise,
thresh,
daughter
of
Zion.
\par }{\Q I
will
make
your
horns
iron,
\par }{\Q and
your
hoofs
brass,
\par }{\Q so
you
might
beat
in
pieces
many
peoples,
\par }{\Q and
devote
to
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
their
spoil,
\par }{\Q and
their
wealth
to
the
ruler
of
all
the
earth.
\par }{\BB \par }
\PoetryChap{5}{\Q \VerseOne{1}‘Now
cut
yourself
in
bitter
grief,
\par }{\Q daughter
besieged
by
soldiers.
\par }{\Q They
have
set
a
wall
around
you.
\par }{\Q They
strike
the
ruler
of
Israel,
\par }{\Q in
the
face
with
a
rod.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}‘Bethlehem
in
Ephrathah,
\par }{\Q small
among
the
tribes
of
Judah,
\par }{\Q from
you
will
come
a
king
\par }{\Q who
will
rule
for
me
over
Israel,
\par }{\Q whose
family
line
goes
back
to
the
distant
past.’
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}So
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
will
only
abandon
Israel
to
its
enemies
\par }{\Q until
the
woman
in
labour
gives
birth.
\par }{\Q Then
the
survivors
will
be reunited
with
their
own
people.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}And
he
will
stand
and
shepherd
by
the
strength
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q In
the
exalted
name
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
his
God;
\par }{\Q And
they
will
live
in
security,
for
now
he
will
be
great,
\par }{\Q even
to
the
ends
of
the
earth.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}This
will
be
our
peace:
\par }{\Q when
Assyria
comes
into
our
land
\par }{\Q and
treads
on
our
soil,
\par }{\Q we
will
raise
up
against
him
seven
shepherds,
\par }{\Q eight
leaders
of
men.
\par }{\Q \VS{6}They
will
shepherd
Assyria
with
a
sword,
\par }{\Q and
the
land
of
Nimrod
with
bared blades.
\par }{\Q They
will
deliver
us
from
Assyria,
\par }{\Q when
they
come
into
our
land,
\par }{\Q and
tread
within
our
borders.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{7}And
the
survivors
of
Jacob
will
be disbursed
among
the
nations,
\par }{\Q in
the
midst
of
many
peoples,
\par }{\Q like
dew
from
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q like
showers
on
the
grass,
\par }{\Q which
don’t
wait
for
people
to
come
\par }{\Q or
linger
for
mortals.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}And
the
survivors
of
Jacob
will
be disbursed
among
the
nations,
\par }{\Q in
the
midst
of
many
peoples,
\par }{\Q like
a
lion
among
the
beasts
of
the
forest,
\par }{\Q like
a
young
lion
among
the sheep-folds,
\par }{\Q who,
when
he
passes
through, pounces.
\par }{\Q He savages
his
prey.
There
is
no rescuer.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}Let
your
hand
triumph
over
your
adversaries,
\par }{\Q let
all
your
enemies
be
cut
off.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}On
that
day,
says
the
{\ND{
Lord}}:
\par }{\Q ‘I
will
slaughter
your
horses
from
your
midst,
\par }{\Q and
destroy
your
chariots.
\par }{\Q \VS{11}I
will
devastate
the
cities
in
your
land,
\par }{\Q and
tear
down
your
fortresses.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}I
will
destroy
your magic
charms,
\par }{\Q and
you
will
have
no
soothsayers.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}I
will
cut
down
your
idols
and
sacred
pillars,
\par }{\Q and
you
will
not
worship
any
more
the
work
of
your
hands.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}I
will
uproot
your
sacred
poles,
\par }{\Q and
destroy
your
idols.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}In
my
wrath
and
my
anger
\par }{\Q I
will
seek
vengeance
on
the
nations
that
ignore
me.’

\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Israel’s False Conception of the Lord’s Character and Demands
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Hear
now
what
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
is
saying:
\par }{\Q Arise,
present
your
complaint
before
the
mountains,
\par }{\Q let
the
hills
hear
your
voice!
\par }{\Q \VS{2}Hear,
mountains,
the
{\ND{
Lord}}’s
accusation,
\par }{\Q listen,
foundations
of
the
earth.
\par }{\Q For
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
has
a
case
against
his
people.
\par }{\Q He
has
a
dispute
with
Israel.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}‘My
people,
what
have
I
done
to
you.
\par }{\Q How
have
I
displeased
you?
Answer
me!
\par }{\Q \VS{4}For
I
brought
you
up
from
the
land
of
Egypt,
\par }{\Q from
the
land
of
slavery
I
redeemed
you.
\par }{\Q I
sent
Moses,
Aaron,
and
Miriam
to
lead
you.
\par }{\Q \VS{5}My
people,
what
did
Balak,
king
of
Moab
counsel?
\par }{\Q And
how
did
Balaam,
the
son
of
Beor,
answer
him?
\par }{\Q Remember
now
the
journey
from
Shittim
to
Gilgal,
\par }{\Q so
that
you
might realise
the
just
deeds
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}.’
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}With
what
should
I
come
before
the
{\ND{
Lord}}?
\par }{\Q Bow
myself
before
the
God
on
high?
\par }{\Q Should
I
come
before
him
with burnt-offerings,
\par }{\Q with
calves
a
year
old?
\par }{\Q \VS{7}Will
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
be
pleased
with
thousands
of
rams,
\par }{\Q With
ten
thousand
streams
of
oil?
\par }{\Q Should
I
give
him
my
firstborn
son
for
my
guilt,
\par }{\Q the
fruit
of
my
body
for
the
sin
of
my
soul?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{8}The
{\ND{
Lord}}
has
told
you
what
is
good,
\par }{\Q what
he
demands
of
you:
\par }{\Q Only
to
do
justice
and
love
mercy,
\par }{\Q and
to
walk
humbly
with
your
God.
\par }{\SH Guilt
and
Punishment
of
Jerusalem
\par }{\Q \VS{9}Listen!
The
{\ND{
Lord}}
calls
to
the
city!
\par }{\Q Listen,
tribe
and
assembly
of
the
city!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{10}‘Can
I
forget
the
hoarded
treasures
in
the
houses
of
the
wicked,
\par }{\Q and
the
accursed
scant
measure?
\par }{\Q \VS{11}Can
I
leave
her
unpunished
because
of
evil
scales,
\par }{\Q and
the
bag
of
false
weights?
\par }{\Q \VS{12}Whose
rich
people
are
full
of
violence,
\par }{\Q her
inhabitants
liars,
\par }{\Q whose
tongues
speak
deceit?
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{13}‘But
I
indeed,
have
begun
to
punish
you,
\par }{\Q to
lay
you
in
ruins
because
of
your
sins.
\par }{\Q \VS{14}You
will
eat
but
not
be
satisfied,
\par }{\Q your
stomach
empty
within
you.
\par }{\Q You
will
store
up
but
lose
everything,
\par }{\Q because
whatever
you
save
I
will
give
to
the
sword.
\par }{\Q \VS{15}You
will
sow
but
not
reap.
\par }{\Q You
will
tread
the
olives
but
have
no
oil
for rubbing,
\par }{\Q tread
grapes
but
drink
no
wine!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{16}‘For
you
have
followed
the
commands
of
Omri,
\par }{\Q and
all
the
practices
of
the
house
of
Ahab.
\par }{\Q You
have
acted
in
accord
with
their
counsels,
\par }{\Q so
I
will
give
you
up
to
ruin,
\par }{\Q the city’s
inhabitants
to
derision.
\par }{\Q The
nations
will
treat
you
with
contempt!’

\par }\Chap{7}{\SH The Utter Degeneracy of the People
\par }{\Q \VerseOne{1}Woe,
woe
is
me,
for
I
have
become
\par }{\Q like
a
field
after
harvest,
\par }{\Q like
a
vineyard
after
gathering;
\par }{\Q not
a
cluster
of
grapes
to
eat,
\par }{\Q not
a
fig
that
anyone
desires.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{2}The
honest
have
perished
from
the
land,
\par }{\Q of
the
upright
among
people
there
is
none.
\par }{\Q All
of
them
lie
in
wait
to
shed
blood.
\par }{\Q They
hunt
one
another
with
the
net.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{3}Their
hands
know
well
how
to
do
evil,
\par }{\Q the
officer
and
judge
demands
a
bribe,
\par }{\Q the
high
official
decides
as
he
pleases
\par }{\Q and
they
conspire
to
pervert
justice.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{4}The
best
of
them
are
like
a
thorn
thicket,
\par }{\Q their
most
upright
like
a prickly
hedge.
\par }{\Q The
day
of
their
punishment
has
come,
\par }{\Q now
will
be
their
confusion!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{5}Do
not
trust
your
neighbour,
\par }{\Q do
not
rely
on
a
friend.
\par }{\Q From
the
wife
who
lies
in
your
arms
\par }{\Q guard
your
tongue.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{6}For
son
insults
father,
\par }{\Q daughter
rises
up
against
mother,
\par }{\Q daughter-in-law
against
mother-in-law,
\par }{\Q a
man’s
enemies
are
the
people
of
his
own
household.
\par }{\SH Zion’s Ultimate
Vindication
and
Exaltation
\par }{\Q \VS{7}But
I
will
look
to
the
{\ND{
Lord}},
\par }{\Q I
will
wait
for
the
God
of
my
salvation.
\par }{\Q My
God
will
hear
me!
\par }{\Q \VS{8}Do
not
rejoice
over
me,
my
enemy.
\par }{\Q If
I
have
fallen,
I
will
rise.
\par }{\Q If
I
sit
in
darkness,
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
is
my
light.
\par }{\Q \VS{9}The
anger
of
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
I
will
bear,
\par }{\Q for
against
him
have
I
sinned –
\par }{\Q until
he champions
my
cause
\par }{\Q and
gives
judgment
for
me.
\par }{\Q He
will
bring
me
into
to
the
light,
\par }{\Q I
will
see
his
justice.
\par }{\Q \VS{10}So
my
enemy
will
see,
and
shame
will
cover
them,
\par }{\Q they
who
said, ‘Where
is
the
{\ND{
Lord}}
your
God?’
\par }{\Q I
will
look
upon
them,
\par }{\Q they
will
be
trampled
on
like
mud
in
the
street!
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{11}It
is
a
day
for
rebuilding
your
walls,
\par }{\Q this
day
will
your
boundary
will
be
extended.
\par }{\Q \VS{12}This
day
they
will
come
to
you,
\par }{\Q from
Assyria
and
the
cities
of
Egypt,
\par }{\Q and
from
Egypt
even
to
the
Euphrates
River,
\par }{\Q from
sea
to
sea,
and
from
mountain
to
mountain.
\par }{\Q \VS{13}Though
the
land
has
become
a
desolation
\par }{\Q because
of
its
inhabitants,
because
of
their
deeds.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{14}Shepherd
your
flock
with
your
staff,
the
flock
that
belong
to
you,
\par }{\Q who
live
alone
in
the
forest,
in
the
midst
of
meadows;
\par }{\Q so
that
they
may
pasture
in Bashon
and
Gilead
as
in
the
days
of
old,
\par }{\Q \VS{15}as
in
the
days
when
you
came
from
Egypt,
gave
us
wonders
to
see.
\par }{\Q \VS{16}Nations
will
see
and
be
ashamed
of
all
their
might;
\par }{\Q they
will
put
their
hands
to
their
mouth,
their
ears
will
become
deaf,
\par }{\Q \VS{17}they
will
lick
the
dust
like
snakes,
like
creatures
that crawl
on
the
earth;
\par }{\Q they
will
come
trembling
and
in
terror
from
their
hiding
places,
in
dread
and
fear.
\par }{\BB \par }{\Q \VS{18}Who
is
a
God
like
you,
forgiving
iniquity
\par }{\Q and
passing
by
the
rebellion
of
the
remnant
of
your
people?
\par }{\Q He
does
not
retain
his
anger
forever,
but
is
one
who
delights
in
mercy.
\par }{\Q \VS{19}He
will
tread
under
foot
our
iniquity;
\par }{\Q you
will
cast
into
the
depths
of
the
sea
all
our
iniquities.
\par }{\Q \VS{20}You
will
show
faithfulness
to
Jacob,
and
loving
kindness
to
Abraham,
\par }{\Q as
you
have
sworn
to
our
ancestors
from
the
days
of
old.
\par }