1Hear now what the LORD says: "Stand up, and make your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice."
2Hear the LORD's case, you mountains, and you strong foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against his people, and he will argue it with Israel.
3"My people, what have I done to you? How have I made you weary? Answer me."
4"For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and set you free from the house of slaves. I sent Moses before you, and Aaron, and Miriam."
5"My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab planned, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal. Remember it, so that you may know the righteousness of the LORD."
6What shall I bring when I come before the LORD, and bow down before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my wrongdoing, the child of my own body for the sin of my soul?
8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD ask of you, but to do what is just, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
9The LORD's voice calls out to the city, and the man of wisdom will see your name. Hear the rod, and who has appointed it.
10Are there still treasures gained by wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the short measure that is hateful?
11Shall I count them pure when they use dishonest scales, and a bag of false weights?
12For her rich men are full of violence, and her people have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
13"So I too will make you sick with striking you, laying you waste because of your sins."
14"You will eat, but not be satisfied. Emptiness will be in the middle of you. You will carry things away, but you will not save them, and what you do save I will give up to the sword."
15"You will sow, but you will not reap. You will tread the olives, but you will not rub yourself with oil. You will tread sweet grapes, but you will not drink the wine."
16"For the laws of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and you walk by their advice. So I will make you a ruin, and your people something to hiss at. You will bear the shame of my people."