Mikha 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 

Mikha 6:3

6:3 “My people, how have I wronged you? ⁴ 

How have I wearied you? Answer me!

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

[6:1]  sn Defend yourself. The Lord challenges Israel to defend itself against the charges he is bringing.

[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.”

[6:3]  ⁴ tn Heb “My people, what have I done to you?”