1Listen to what the Lord is saying. Stand up and plead your case. Let the mountains and the hills hear your voice.

2And now, mountains, hear the Lord's argument. Listen, everlasting foundations of the earth, for the Lord has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.

3My people, what have I done to you? What is it that I have done to make you tired of me?

4For I brought you out of the land of Egypt and rescued you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.

5My people, remember what Balak, king of Moab, planned to do, and what Balaam, son of Beor, told him ²⁵, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, ²⁶so you could know all the good things the Lord does.

6What should I take with me when I approach the Lord, when I bow down before the God of heaven? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I sacrifice my firstborn child for my rebellion, my own flesh and blood for the sins I have committed?

8The Lord has told you what is good, and what the Lord asks from you: to do what is right, to love kindness, and to walk in humility ²⁷with your God.

9The voice of the Lord calls to the city—to respect your name is to be wise—pay attention to the rod and who summoned it. ²⁸

10Are there still ill-gotten gains in the houses of the wicked? Are they still using dishonest measures in selling grain?

11How can I accept those who use unfair scales and dishonest weights?

12Your rich people make money by using violence; they tell lies and practice deceit.

13So I will strike you to make you ill; I will ruin you because of your sins.

14You will eat, but never be satisfied; inside you will still feel hungry. Even though you try to save money, what you save won't be worth anything because I will give it to the sword. ²⁹

15You will sow, but you won't reap; you will press your olives, but not use the oil; you will make your wine, but drink none of it.

16You have kept the laws of Omri, and adopted all the practices of the house of Ahab, ³⁰you have followed their ways. So I will make your country desolate and the people who live there an object of scorn; you will bear the shame of my people.