Mikha 3:8-9

3:8 But I ¹  am full of the courage that the Lord’s Spirit gives,

and have a strong commitment to justice. ² 

This enables me to confront Jacob with its rebellion,

and Israel with its sin. ³ 

3:9 Listen to this, you leaders of the family ⁴  of Jacob,

you rulers of the nation ⁵  of Israel!

You ⁶  hate justice

and pervert all that is right.

[3:8]  ¹ sn The prophet Micah speaks here and contrasts himself with the mercenaries just denounced by the Lord in the preceding verses.

[3:8]  ² tn Heb “am full of power, the Spirit of the Lord, and justice and strength.” The appositional phrase “the Spirit of the Lord” explains the source of the prophet’s power. The phrase “justice and strength” is understood here as a hendiadys, referring to the prophet’s strong sense of justice.

[3:8]  ³ tn Heb “to declare to Jacob his rebellion and to Israel his sin.” The words “this enables me” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[3:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “house.”

[3:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “house.”

[3:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “who.” A new sentence was begun here in the translation for stylistic reasons (also at the beginning of v. 10).