Micah 3:5-12

5 haec dicit Dominus super prophetas qui seducunt populum meum qui mordent dentibus suis et praedicant pacem et si quis non dederit in ore eorum quippiam sanctificant super eum proelium

6 propterea nox vobis pro visione erit et tenebrae vobis pro divinatione et occumbet sol super prophetas et obtenebrabitur super eos dies

7 et confundentur qui vident visiones et confundentur divini et operient vultus suos omnes quia non est responsum Dei

8 verumtamen ego repletus sum fortitudine spiritus Domini iudicio et virtute ut adnuntiem Iacob scelus suum et Israhel peccatum suum

9 audite haec principes domus Iacob et iudices domus Israhel qui abominamini iudicium et omnia recta pervertitis

10 qui aedificatis Sion in sanguinibus et Hierusalem in iniquitate

11 principes eius in muneribus iudicabant et sacerdotes eius in mercede docebant et prophetae eius in pecunia divinabant et super Dominum requiescebant dicentes numquid non Dominus in medio nostrum non venient super nos mala

12 propter hoc causa vestri Sion quasi ager arabitur et Hierusalem quasi acervus lapidum erit et mons templi in excelsa silvarum

Micah 3:5-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 3

In this chapter the prophet reproves and threatens both princes and prophets, first separately, and then conjunctly; first the heads and princes of the people, civil magistrates, for their ignorance of justice, and hatred of good, and love of evil, and for their oppression and cruelty; and they are threatened with distress when they should cry unto the Lord, and should not be heard by him, Mic 3:1-4; next the prophets are taken to task, for their voraciousness, avarice, and false prophesying; and are threatened with darkness, with want of vision, and of an answer from the Lord, and with shame and confusion, Mic 3:5-7; and the prophet being full of the Spirit and power of God, to declare the sins and transgressions of Jacob and Israel, Mic 3:8, very freely declaims against princes, priests, and prophets, all together; who, though guilty of very notorious crimes, yet were in great security, and promised themselves impunity, Mic 3:9-11; wherefore the city and temple of Jerusalem are threatened with an utter desolation, Mic 3:12.