Micah 6:1

The Lord Demands Justice, not Ritual

6:1 Listen to what the Lord says:

“Get up! Defend yourself ¹  before the mountains! ² 

Present your case before the hills!” ³ 

Micah 7:9

7:9 I must endure ⁴  the Lord’s anger,

for I have sinned against him.

But then ⁵  he will defend my cause, ⁶ 

and accomplish justice on my behalf.

He will lead me out into the light;

I will experience firsthand ⁷  his deliverance. ⁸ 

[6:1]  ¹ tn Or “plead your case” (NASB, NIV, NRSV); NAB “present your plea”; NLT “state your case.”

[6:1]  ² sn As in some ancient Near Eastern treaties, the mountains are personified as legal witnesses that will settle the dispute between God and Israel.

[6:1]  ³ tn Heb “let the hills hear your voice.”

[7:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “lift, bear.”

[7:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “until.”

[7:9]  ⁶ tn Or “plead my case” (NASB and NIV both similar); NRSV “until he takes my side.”

[7:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “see.”

[7:9]  ⁸ tn Or “justice, vindication.”