Mic.1.1

GOD's Message as it came to Micah of Moresheth. It came during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. It had to do with what was going on in Samaria and Jerusalem.

Mic.1.1

The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah-the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Mic.1.1

The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Mic.1.1

The LORD gave these messages to Micah of Moresheth during the years when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. The messages concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem, and they came to Micah in the form of visions.

Mic.1.2

Listen, people--all of you. Listen, earth, and everyone in it: The Master, GOD, takes the witness stand against you, the Master from his Holy Temple. [JC]

Mic.1.2

Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign LORD may witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

Mic.1.2

Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple.

Mic.1.2

Attention! Let all the people of the world listen! The Sovereign LORD has made accusations against you; the Lord speaks from his holy Temple.

Mic.1.3

Look, here he comes! GOD, from his place! He comes down and strides across mountains and hills.

Mic.1.3

Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth.

Mic.1.3

For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; He will come down And tread on the high places of the earth.

Mic.1.3

Look! The LORD is coming! He leaves his throne in heaven and comes to earth, walking on the high places.

Mic.1.4

Mountains sink under his feet, valleys split apart; The rock mountains crumble into gravel, the river valleys leak like sieves.

Mic.1.4

The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.

Mic.1.4

The mountains will melt under Him, And the valleys will split Like wax before the fire, Like waters poured down a steep place.

Mic.1.4

They melt beneath his feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill.

Mic.1.5

All this because of Jacob's sin, because Israel's family did wrong. You ask, "So what is Jacob's sin?" Just look at Samaria--isn't it obvious? And all the sex-and-religion shrines in Judah--isn't Jerusalem responsible? [JC]

Mic.1.5

All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel. What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah's high place? Is it not Jerusalem?

Mic.1.5

All this is for the transgression of Jacob And for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem?

Mic.1.5

And why is this happening? Because of the sins and rebellion of Israel and Judah. Who is to blame for Israel's rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!

Mic.1.6

"I'm turning Samaria into a heap of rubble, a vacant lot littered with garbage. I'll dump the stones from her buildings in the valley and leave her abandoned foundations exposed.

Mic.1.6

"Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones into the valley and lay bare her foundations.

Mic.1.6

"Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the field, Places for planting a vineyard; I will pour down her stones into the valley, And I will uncover her foundations.

Mic.1.6

"So I, the LORD, will make the city of Samaria a heap of rubble. Her streets will be plowed up for planting vineyards. I will roll the stones of her walls down into the valley below, exposing all her foundations.

Mic.1.7

All her carved and cast gods and goddesses will be sold for stove wood and scrap metal, All her sacred fertility groves burned to the ground, All the sticks and stones she worshiped as gods, destroyed. These were her earnings from her life as a whore. This is what happens to the fees of a whore." [JC]

Mic.1.7

All her idols will be broken to pieces; all her temple gifts will be burned with fire; I will destroy all her images. Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes, as the wages of prostitutes they will again be used."

Mic.1.7

All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, And all her pay as a harlot shall be burned with the fire; All her idols I will lay desolate, For she gathered it from the pay of a harlot, And they shall return to the pay of a harlot."

Mic.1.7

All her carved images will be smashed to pieces. All her sacred treasures will be burned up. These things were bought with the money earned by her prostitution, and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere."

Mic.1.8

This is why I lament and mourn. This is why I go around in rags and barefoot. This is why I howl like a pack of coyotes, and moan like a mournful owl in the night.

Mic.1.8

Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.

Mic.1.8

Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals And a mourning like the ostriches,

Mic.1.8

Because of all this, I will mourn and lament. I will walk around naked and barefoot in sorrow and shame. I will howl like a jackal and wail like an ostrich.

Mic.1.9

GOD has inflicted punishing wounds; Judah has been wounded with no healing in sight. Judgment has marched through the city gates. Jerusalem must face the charges. [JC]

Mic.1.9

For her wound is incurable; it has come to Judah. It has reached the very gate of my people, even to Jerusalem itself.

Mic.1.9

For her wounds are incurable. For it has come to Judah; It has come to the gate of My people-- To Jerusalem.

Mic.1.9

For my people's wound is far too deep to heal. It has reached into Judah, even to the gates of Jerusalem.

Mic.1.10

Don't gossip about this in Telltown. Don't waste your tears. In Dustville, roll in the dust.

Mic.1.10

Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all. In Beth Ophrah roll in the dust.

Mic.1.10

Tell it not in Gath, Weep not at all; In Beth Aphrah Roll yourself in the dust.

Mic.1.10

Don't tell our enemies in the city of Gath; don't weep at all. You people in Beth-leaphrah, roll in the dust to show your anguish and despair.

Mic.1.11

In Alarmtown, the alarm is sounded. The citizens of Exitburgh will never get out alive. Lament, Last-Stand City: There's nothing in you left standing.

Mic.1.11

Pass on in nakedness and shame, you who live in Shaphir. Those who live in Zaanan will not come out. Beth Ezel is in mourning; its protection is taken from you.

Mic.1.11

Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir; The inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out. Beth Ezel mourns; Its place to stand is taken away from you.

Mic.1.11

You people of Shaphir, go as captives into exile--naked and ashamed. The people of Zaanan dare not come outside their walls. The people of Beth-ezel mourn because the very foundations of their city have been swept away.

Mic.1.12

The villagers of Bittertown wait in vain for sweet peace. Harsh judgment has come from GOD and entered Peace City.

Mic.1.12

Those who live in Maroth writhe in pain, waiting for relief, because disaster has come from the LORD, even to the gate of Jerusalem.

Mic.1.12

For the inhabitant of Maroth pined for good, But disaster came down from the LORD To the gate of Jerusalem.

Mic.1.12

The people of Maroth anxiously wait for relief, but only bitterness awaits them as the LORD's judgment reaches even to the gates of Jerusalem.

Mic.1.13

All you who live in Chariotville, get in your chariots for flight. You led the daughter of Zion into trusting not God but chariots. Similar sins in Israel also got their start in you.

Mic.1.13

You who live in Lachish, harness the team to the chariot. You were the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

Mic.1.13

O inhabitant of Lachish, Harness the chariot to the swift steeds (She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion), For the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

Mic.1.13

Quick! Use your swiftest chariots and flee, you people of Lachish. You were the first city in Judah to follow Israel in the sin of idol worship, and so you led Jerusalem into sin.

Mic.1.14

Go ahead and give your good-bye gifts to Good-byeville. Miragetown beckoned but disappointed Israel's kings.

Mic.1.14

Therefore you will give parting gifts to Moresheth Gath. The town of Aczib will prove deceptive to the kings of Israel.

Mic.1.14

Therefore you shall give presents to Moresheth Gath; The houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

Mic.1.14

Send a farewell gift to Moresheth-gath; there is no hope of saving it. The town of Aczib has deceived the kings of Israel, for it promised help it could not give.

Mic.1.15

Inheritance City has lost its inheritance. Glorytown has seen its last of glory.

Mic.1.15

I will bring a conqueror against you who live in Mareshah. He who is the glory of Israel will come to Adullam.

Mic.1.15

I will yet bring an heir to you, O inhabitant of Mareshah; The glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.

Mic.1.15

You people of Mareshah, I will bring a conqueror to capture your town. And the leaders of Israel will go to Adullam.

Mic.1.16

Shave your heads in mourning over the loss of your precious towns. Go bald as a goose egg--they've gone into exile and aren't coming back.

Mic.1.16

Shave your heads in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourselves as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile.

Mic.1.16

Make yourself bald and cut off your hair, Because of your precious children; Enlarge your baldness like an eagle, For they shall go from you into captivity.

Mic.1.16

Weep, you people of Judah! Shave your heads in sorrow, for the children you love will be snatched away, and you will never see them again. Make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for your little ones will be exiled to distant lands.

Mic.2.1

Doom to those who plot evil, who go to bed dreaming up crimes! As soon at it's morning, they're off, full of energy, doing what they've planned.

Mic.2.1

Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

Mic.2.1

Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.

Mic.2.1

How terrible it will be for you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry out any of the wicked schemes you have power to accomplish.

Mic.2.2

They covet fields and grab them, find homes and take them. They bully the neighbor and his family, see people only for what they can get out of them.

Mic.2.2

They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.

Mic.2.2

They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, A man and his inheritance.

Mic.2.2

When you want a certain piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone's house, you take it by fraud and violence. No one's family or inheritance is safe with you around!

Mic.2.3

GOD has had enough. He says, "I have some plans of my own: Disaster because of this interbreeding evil! Your necks are on the line. You're not walking away from this. It's doomsday for you.

Mic.2.3

Therefore, the LORD says: "I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.

Mic.2.3

Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, From which you cannot remove your necks; Nor shall you walk haughtily, For this is an evil time.

Mic.2.3

But this is what the LORD says: "I will reward your evil with evil; you won't be able to escape! After I am through with you, none of you will ever again walk proudly in the streets."

Mic.2.4

Mocking ballads will be sung of you, and you yourselves will sing the blues: "Our lives are ruined, our homes and lands auctioned off. They take everything, leave us nothing! All is sold to the highest bidder.'"

Mic.2.4

In that day men will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors.'"

Mic.2.4

In that day one shall take up a proverb against you, And lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: "We are utterly destroyed! He has changed the heritage of my people; How He has removed it from me! To a turncoat He has divided our fields."'

Mic.2.4

In that day your enemies will make fun of you by singing this song of despair about your experience: "We are finished, completely ruined! God has confiscated our land, taking it from us. He has given our fields to those who betrayed us. "

Mic.2.5

And there'll be no one to stand up for you, no one to speak for you before GOD and his jury. [JC]

Mic.2.5

Therefore you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.

Mic.2.5

Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot In the assembly of the LORD.

Mic.2.5

Others will set your boundaries then, and the LORD's people will have no say in how the land is divided.

Mic.2.6

"Don't preach," say the preachers. "Don't preach such stuff. Nothing bad will happen to us.

Mic.2.6

"Do not prophesy," their prophets say. "Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us."

Mic.2.6

"Do not prattle," you say to those who prophesy. So they shall not prophesy to you; They shall not return insult for insult.

Mic.2.6

"Don't say such things," the people say. "Don't prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!"

Mic.2.7

Talk like this to the family of Jacob? Does GOD lose his temper? Is this the way he acts? Isn't he on the side of good people? Doesn't he help those who help themselves?" [JC]

Mic.2.7

Should it be said, O house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of the LORD angry? Does he do such things?Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?

Mic.2.7

You who are named the house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted? Are these His doings? Do not My words do good To him who walks uprightly?

Mic.2.7

Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? Will the LORD have patience with such behavior? If you would do what is right, you would find my words to be good.

Mic.2.8

"What do you mean, "good people'! You're the enemy of my people! You rob unsuspecting people out for an evening stroll. You take their coats off their backs like soldiers who plunder the defenseless.

Mic.2.8

Lately my people have risen up like an enemy. You strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care, like men returning from battle.

Mic.2.8

"Lately My people have risen up as an enemy-- You pull off the robe with the garment From those who trust you, as they pass by, Like men returned from war.

Mic.2.8

Yet to this very hour my people rise against me! You steal the shirts right off the backs of those who trusted you, making them as ragged as men who have just come home from battle.

Mic.2.9

You drive the women of my people out of their ample homes. You make victims of the children and leave them vulnerable to violence and vice.

Mic.2.9

You drive the women of my people from their pleasant homes. You take away my blessing from their children forever.

Mic.2.9

The women of My people you cast out From their pleasant houses; From their children You have taken away My glory forever.

Mic.2.9

You have evicted women from their homes and stripped their children of all their God-given rights.

Mic.2.10

Get out of here, the lot of you. You can't take it easy here! You've polluted this place, and now you're polluted--ruined!

Mic.2.10

Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy.

Mic.2.10

"Arise and depart, For this is not your rest; Because it is defiled, it shall destroy, Yes, with utter destruction.

Mic.2.10

Up! Begone! This is no longer your land and home, for you have filled it with sin and ruined it completely.

Mic.2.11

If someone showed up with a good smile and glib tongue and told lies from morning to night--"I'll preach sermons that will tell you how you can get anything you want from God: More money, the best wines... you name it'--you'd hire him on the spot as your preacher! [JC]

Mic.2.11

If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people!

Mic.2.11

If a man should walk in a false spirit And speak a lie, saying, "I will prophesy to you of wine and drink,' Even he would be the prattler of this people.

Mic.2.11

Suppose a prophet full of lies were to say to you, "I'll preach to you the joys of wine and drink!" That's just the kind of prophet you would like!

Mic.2.12

"I'm calling a meeting, Jacob. I want everyone back--all the survivors of Israel. I'll get them together in one place--like sheep in a fold, like cattle in a corral--a milling throng of homebound people!

Mic.2.12

"I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.

Mic.2.12

"I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people.

Mic.2.12

"Someday, O Israel, I will gather the few of you who are left. I will bring you together again like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture. Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds!

Mic.2.13

Then I, GOD, will burst all confinements and lead them out into the open. They'll follow their King. I will be out in front leading them."

Mic.2.13

One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head."

Mic.2.13

The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the LORD at their head."

Mic.2.13

Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile. He will bring you through the gates of your cities of captivity, back to your own land. Your king will lead you; the LORD himself will guide you."

Mic.3.1

Then I said: "Listen, leaders of Jacob, leaders of Israel: Don't you know anything of justice?

Mic.3.1

Then I said, "Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice,

Mic.3.1

And I said: "Hear now, O heads of Jacob, And you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?

Mic.3.1

Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong,

Mic.3.2

Haters of good, lovers of evil: Isn't justice in your job description? But you skin my people alive. You rip the meat off their bones.

Mic.3.2

you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones;

Mic.3.2

You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And the flesh from their bones;

Mic.3.2

but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones.

Mic.3.3

You break up the bones, chop the meat, and throw it in a pot for cannibal stew."

Mic.3.3

who eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces; who chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot?"

Mic.3.3

Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them in pieces Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron."

Mic.3.3

You eat my people's flesh, cut away their skin, and break their bones. You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot.

Mic.3.4

The time's coming, though, when these same leaders will cry out for help to GOD, but he won't listen. He'll turn his face the other way because of their history of evil. [JC]

Mic.3.4

Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.

Mic.3.4

Then they will cry to the LORD, But He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds.

Mic.3.4

Then you beg the LORD for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to listen? After all the evil you have done, he won't even look at you!

Mic.3.5

Here is GOD's Message to the prophets, the preachers who lie to my people: "For as long as they're well paid and well fed, the prophets preach, "Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!' But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon, their "God bless you' turns into "God damn you.'

Mic.3.5

This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead my people astray, if one feeds them, they proclaim 'peace'; if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him.

Mic.3.5

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets Who make my people stray; Who chant "Peace" While they chew with their teeth, But who prepare war against him Who puts nothing into their mouths:

Mic.3.5

This is what the LORD says to you false prophets: "You are leading my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on anyone who refuses to pay you.

Mic.3.6

Therefore, you're going blind. You'll see nothing. You'll live in deep shadows and know nothing. The sun has set on the prophets. They've had their day; from now on it's night.

Mic.3.6

Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them.

Mic.3.6

"Therefore you shall have night without vision, And you shall have darkness without divination; The sun shall go down on the prophets, And the day shall be dark for them.

Mic.3.6

Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. Darkness will cover you, making it impossible for you to predict the future. The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end.

Mic.3.7

Visionaries will be confused, experts will be all mixed up. They'll hide behind their reputations and make lame excuses to cover up their God-ignorance." [JC]

Mic.3.7

The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God."

Mic.3.7

So the seers shall be ashamed, And the diviners abashed; Indeed they shall all cover their lips; For there is no answer from God."

Mic.3.7

Then you seers will cover your faces in shame, and you diviners will be disgraced. And you will admit that your messages were not from God."

Mic.3.8

But me--I'm filled with GOD's power, filled with GOD's Spirit of justice and strength, Ready to confront Jacob's crime and Israel's sin.

Mic.3.8

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.

Mic.3.8

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.

Mic.3.8

But as for me, I am filled with power and the Spirit of the LORD. I am filled with justice and might, fearlessly pointing out Israel's sin and rebellion.

Mic.3.9

The leaders of Jacob and the leaders of Israel are Leaders contemptuous of justice, who twist and distort right living,

Mic.3.9

Hear this, you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right;

Mic.3.9

Now hear this, You heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And pervert all equity,

Mic.3.9

Listen to me, you leaders of Israel! You hate justice and twist all that is right.

Mic.3.10

Leaders who build Zion by killing people, who expand Jerusalem by committing crimes.

Mic.3.10

who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness.

Mic.3.10

Who build up Zion with bloodshed And Jerusalem with iniquity:

Mic.3.10

You are building Jerusalem on a foundation of murder and corruption.

Mic.3.11

Judges sell verdicts to the highest bidder, priests mass-market their teaching, prophets preach for high fees, All the while posturing and pretending dependence on GOD: "We've got GOD on our side. He'll protect us from disaster."

Mic.3.11

Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us."

Mic.3.11

Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us."

Mic.3.11

You rulers govern for the bribes you can get; you priests teach God's laws only for a price; you prophets won't prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim you are depending on the LORD. "No harm can come to us," you say, "for the LORD is here among us."

Mic.3.12

Because of people like you, Zion will be turned back into farmland, Jerusalem end up as a pile of rubble, and instead of the Temple on the mountain, a few scraggly scrub pines.

Mic.3.12

Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

Mic.3.12

Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple Like the bare hills of the forest.

Mic.3.12

So because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field; Jerusalem will be reduced to rubble! A great forest will grow on the hilltop, where the Temple now stands.

Mic.4.1

But when all is said and done, GOD's Temple on the mountain, Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains, towering above surrounding hills. People will stream to it

Mic.4.1

In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

Mic.4.1

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.

Mic.4.1

In the last days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship.

Mic.4.2

and many nations set out for it, Saying, "Come, let's climb GOD's mountain. Let's go to the Temple of Jacob's God. He will teach us how to live. We'll know how to live God's way." True teaching will issue from Zion, GOD's revelation from Jerusalem.

Mic.4.2

Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Mic.4.2

Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Mic.4.2

Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Temple of the God of Israel. There he will teach us his ways, so that we may obey him." For in those days the LORD's teaching and his word will go out from Jerusalem.

Mic.4.3

He'll establish justice in the rabble of nations and settle disputes in faraway places. They'll trade in their swords for shovels, their spears for rakes and hoes. Nations will quit fighting each other, quit learning how to kill one another.

Mic.4.3

He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Mic.4.3

He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Mic.4.3

The LORD will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end.

Mic.4.4

Each man will sit under his own shade tree, each woman in safety will tend her own garden. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says so, and he means what he says.

Mic.4.4

Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.

Mic.4.4

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.

Mic.4.4

Everyone will live quietly in their own homes in peace and prosperity, for there will be nothing to fear. The LORD Almighty has promised this!

Mic.4.5

Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish, picking and choosing their gods. But we live honoring GOD, and we're loyal to our God forever and ever.

Mic.4.5

All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. The LORD 's Plan

Mic.4.5

For all people walk each in the name of his god, But we will walk in the name of the LORD our God Forever and ever.

Mic.4.5

Even though the nations around us worship idols, we will follow the LORD our God forever and ever.

Mic.4.6

"On that great day," GOD says, "I will round up all the hurt and homeless, everyone I have bruised or banished.

Mic.4.6

"In that day," declares the LORD, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.

Mic.4.6

"In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted;

Mic.4.6

"In that coming day," says the LORD, "I will gather together my people who are lame, who have been exiles, filled with grief.

Mic.4.7

I will transform the battered into a company of the elite. I will make a strong nation out of the long lost, A showcase exhibit of GOD's rule in action, as I rule from Mount Zion, from here to eternity.

Mic.4.7

I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.

Mic.4.7

I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever.

Mic.4.7

They are weak and far from home, but I will make them strong again, a mighty nation. Then I, the LORD, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever."

Mic.4.8

"And you stragglers around Jerusalem, eking out a living in shantytowns: The glory that once was will be again. Jerusalem's daughter will be the kingdom center." [JC]

Mic.4.8

As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem."

Mic.4.8

And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem."

Mic.4.8

As for you, O Jerusalem, the citadel of God's people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.

Mic.4.9

So why the doomsday hysterics? You still have a king, don't you? But maybe he's not doing his job and you're panicked like a woman in labor.

Mic.4.9

Why do you now cry aloud- have you no king? Has your counselor perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

Mic.4.9

Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished? For pangs have seized you like a woman in labor.

Mic.4.9

But why are you now screaming in terror? Have you no king to lead you? He is dead! Have you no wise people to counsel you? All are gone! Pain has gripped you like it does a woman in labor.

Mic.4.10

Well, go ahead--twist and scream, Daughter Jerusalem. You are like a woman in childbirth. You'll soon be out of the city, on your way and camping in the open country. And then you'll arrive in Babylon. What you lost in Jerusalem will be found in Babylon. GOD will give you new life again. He'll redeem you from your enemies.

Mic.4.10

Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.

Mic.4.10

Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, Like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, You shall dwell in the field, And to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; There the LORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

Mic.4.10

Writhe and groan in terrible pain, you people of Jerusalem, for you must leave this city to live in the open fields. You will soon be sent into exile in distant Babylon. But the LORD will rescue you there; he will redeem you from the grip of your enemies.

Mic.4.11

But for right now, they're ganged up against you, many godless peoples, saying, "Kick her when she's down! Violate her! We want to see Zion grovel in the dirt."

Mic.4.11

But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!"

Mic.4.11

Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, "Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion."

Mic.4.11

True, many nations have gathered together against you, calling for your blood, eager to gloat over your destruction.

Mic.4.12

These blasphemers have no idea what GOD is thinking and doing in this. They don't know that this is the making of GOD's people, that they are wheat being threshed, gold being refined.

Mic.4.12

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Mic.4.12

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Mic.4.12

But they do not know the LORD's thoughts or understand his plan. These nations don't know that he is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like bundles of grain on a threshing floor.

Mic.4.13

On your feet, Daughter of Zion! Be threshed of chaff, be refined of dross. I'm remaking you into a people invincible, into God's juggernaut to crush the godless peoples. You'll bring their plunder as holy offerings to GOD, their wealth to the Master of the earth.

Mic.4.13

"Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations." You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

Mic.4.13

"Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; For I will make your horn iron, And I will make your hooves bronze; You shall beat in pieces many peoples; I will consecrate their gain to the LORD, And their substance to the Lord of the whole earth."

Mic.4.13

"Rise up and destroy the nations, O Jerusalem!" says the LORD. "For I will give you iron horns and bronze hooves, so you can trample many nations to pieces. Then you will give all the wealth they acquired as offerings to me, the Lord of all the earth."

2Cor.4.1

Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.

2Cor.4.1

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

2Cor.4.1

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

2Cor.4.1

And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.

2Cor.4.2

We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.

2Cor.4.2

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Cor.4.2

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Cor.4.2

We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.

2Cor.4.3

If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention.

2Cor.4.3

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

2Cor.4.3

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

2Cor.4.3

If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing.

2Cor.4.4

All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.

2Cor.4.4

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2Cor.4.4

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

2Cor.4.4

Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

2Cor.4.5

Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.

2Cor.4.5

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

2Cor.4.5

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.

2Cor.4.5

We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.

2Cor.4.6

It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

2Cor.4.6

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2Cor.4.6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2Cor.4.6

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

2Cor.4.7

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.

2Cor.4.7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

2Cor.4.7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

2Cor.4.7

But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us--is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

2Cor.4.8

As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do,

2Cor.4.8

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

2Cor.4.8

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2Cor.4.8

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.

2Cor.4.9

but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.

2Cor.4.9

persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2Cor.4.9

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--

2Cor.4.9

We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

2Cor.4.10

What they did to Jesus, they do to us--trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us--he lives!

2Cor.4.10

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2Cor.4.10

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

2Cor.4.10

Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

2Cor.4.11

Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us.

2Cor.4.11

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

2Cor.4.11

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

2Cor.4.11

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies.

2Cor.4.12

While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!

2Cor.4.12

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

2Cor.4.12

So then death is working in us, but life in you.

2Cor.4.12

So we live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you.

2Cor.4.13

We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe.

2Cor.4.13

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,

2Cor.4.13

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,

2Cor.4.13

But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, and so I speak."

2Cor.4.14

And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive.

2Cor.4.14

because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

2Cor.4.14

knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

2Cor.4.14

We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you.

2Cor.4.15

Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!

2Cor.4.15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

2Cor.4.15

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

2Cor.4.15

All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

2Cor.4.16

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

2Cor.4.16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2Cor.4.16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2Cor.4.16

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

2Cor.4.17

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.

2Cor.4.17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2Cor.4.17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2Cor.4.17

For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!

2Cor.4.18

There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

2Cor.4.18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2Cor.4.18

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2Cor.4.18

So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Ps.104.31

The glory of GOD-let it last forever! Let GOD enjoy his creation!

Ps.104.31

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works-

Ps.104.31

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works.

Ps.104.31

May the glory of the LORD last forever! The LORD rejoices in all he has made!

Ps.104.32

He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake, points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

Ps.104.32

he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

Ps.104.32

He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke.

Ps.104.32

The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains burst into flame at his touch.

Ps.104.33

Oh, let me sing to GOD all my life long, sing hymns to my God as long as I live!

Ps.104.33

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Ps.104.33

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Ps.104.33

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

Ps.104.34

Oh, let my song please him; I'm so pleased to be singing to GOD.

Ps.104.34

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.

Ps.104.34

May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.

Ps.104.34

May he be pleased by all these thoughts about him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Ps.104.35

But clear the ground of sinners--no more godless men and women! O my soul, bless GOD!

Ps.104.35

But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.

Ps.104.35

May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Ps.104.35

Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth; let the wicked disappear forever. As for me--I will praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!