1:1 This is the prophetic message that the Lord gave to
1:2 Listen, all you nations!
Pay attention, all inhabitants of earth!
The sovereign Lord will testify
the Lord will accuse you
2:7 Does the family
‘The Lord’s patience
he would never do such things’?
To be sure, my commands bring a reward
for those who obey them,
3:4 Someday these sinners will cry to the Lord for help,
but he will not answer them.
He will hide his face from them at that time,
because they have done such wicked deeds.”
3:8 But I
and have a strong commitment to justice.
This enables me to confront Jacob with its rebellion,
and Israel with its sin.
4:1 In the future
it will be more prominent than other hills.
People will stream to it.
4:4 Each will sit under his own grapevine
or under his own fig tree without any fear.
The Lord who commands armies has decreed it.
4:5 Though all the nations follow their respective gods,
we will follow
4:7 I will transform the lame into the nucleus of a new nation,
and those far off
The Lord will reign over them on Mount Zion,
from that day forward and forevermore.”
6:1 Listen to what the Lord says:
“Get up! Defend yourself
Present your case before the hills!”
6:2 Hear the Lord’s accusation, you mountains,
you enduring foundations of the earth!
For the Lord has a case against his people;
he has a dispute with Israel!
6:7 Will the Lord accept a thousand rams,
or ten thousand streams of olive oil?
Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion,
my offspring – my own flesh and blood – for my sin?
7:8 My enemies,
Though I have fallen, I will get up.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
7:9 I must endure
for I have sinned against him.
But then
and accomplish justice on my behalf.
He will lead me out into the light;
I will experience firsthand
7:10 When my enemies see this, they will be covered with shame.
They say
I will gloat over them.
Then they will be trampled down
like mud in the streets.
7:17 They will lick the dust like a snake,
like serpents crawling on the ground.
They will come trembling from their strongholds
to the Lord our God;
they will be terrified