1. Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
2. “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.
3. “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.
5. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
6. With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7. Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
9. Listen! The Lord is calling to the city— and to fear your name is wisdom— “Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.
10. Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed?
11. Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?
12. Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.
13. Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.