New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Listen to what the LORD says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
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Listen now, listen to God: "Take your stand in court. If you have a complaint, tell the mountains; make your case to the hills.
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.
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And now, Mountains, hear God's case; listen, Jury Earth - For I am bringing charges against my people. I am building a case against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
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"Dear people, how have I done you wrong? Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer!
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.
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I delivered you from a bad life in Egypt; I paid a good price to get you out of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you - and Aaron and Miriam to boot!
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.”
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Remember what Balak king of Moab tried to pull, and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him. Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal. Keep all God's salvation stories fresh and present."
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?
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How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves?
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?
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Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
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.
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But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.
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.
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Attention! God calls out to the city! If you know what's good for you, you'll listen. So listen, all of you! This is serious business.
10 Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed?
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"Do you expect me to overlook obscene wealth you've piled up by cheating and fraud?
11 Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?
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Do you think I'll tolerate shady deals and shifty scheming?
12 Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.
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I'm tired of the violent rich bullying their way with bluffs and lies.
13 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.
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I'm fed up. Beginning now, you're finished. You'll pay for your sins down to your last cent.
14 You will eat but not be satisfied; your stomach will still be empty.You will store up but save nothing, because what you save I will give to the sword.
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No matter how much you get, it will never be enough - hollow stomachs, empty hearts. No matter how hard you work, you'll have nothing to show for it - bankrupt lives, wasted souls.
15 You will plant but not harvest; you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.
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You'll plant grass but never get a lawn. You'll make jelly but never spread it on your bread. You'll press apples but never drink the cider.
16 You have observed the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their traditions. Therefore I will give you over to ruin and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn of the nations. ”
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You have lived by the standards of your king, Omri, the decadent lifestyle of the family of Ahab. Because you've slavishly followed their fashions, I'm forcing you into bankruptcy. Your way of life will be laughed at, a tasteless joke. Your lives will be derided as futile and fake."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.