5. My people,remember what Balak king of Moab proposed,what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from the Acacia Grove to Gilgal so that you may acknowledgethe Lord’s righteous acts.
6. What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high?Should I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
7. Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil?Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the child of my body for my own sin?
8. Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
9. The voice of Yahweh calls out to the city (and it is wise to fear Your name):“Pay attention to the rodand the One who ordained it.
10. Are there still the treasures of wickedness and the accursed short measure in the house of the wicked?
11. Can I excuse wicked scalesor bags of deceptive weights?
12. For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; the tongues in their mouths are deceitful.
13. “As a result, I have begun to strike you severely, bringing desolation because of your sins.
14. You will eat but not be satisfied, for there will be hunger within you.What you acquire, you cannot save, and what you do save,I will give to the sword.
15. You will sow but not reap; you will press olivesbut not anoint yourself with oil;and you will tread grapesbut not drink the wine.
16. The statutes of Omriand all the practices of Ahab’s househave been observed;you have followed their policies. Therefore, I will make you a desolate place and the city’s residents an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of My people.”