Micah 2

1Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When morning light dawns, they carry it out, because power is in their hand.

2They covet fields and seize them, houses and carry them off; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.

3Therefore thus says Yahweh: Behold, I am devising evil against this family, from which you will not remove your necks from it, nor will you walk haughtily, for it is an evil time.

4In that day one will recite a taunt against you and wail a mournful dirge, saying, "Ruin overwhelms us utterly! He exchanges the share of my people; how he withdraws it from me, dividing our fields among rebels!"

5Therefore you will have no one casting a measuring line by lot in the assembly of Yahweh.

6Do not prophesy!" They prophesy. "Do not prophesy to these; shame will not overtake us.

7Is it said, house of Jacob, has Yahweh's Spirit grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good for one who walks uprightly?

8Lately my people rise up as an enemy; you strip the garment and robe from those passing by securely from the front, returning from war.

9You drive the women of my people from their houses of delight; from their infants you take my glory forever.

10Arise and leave, for this is not your rest because of uncleanness that destroys with ruthless destruction.

11If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies, saying, “I will prophesy to you about wine and strong drink,” he would be the prophet of this people.

12I will surely assemble you all, Jacob; I will surely gather Israel's remnant together; I will set them like the sheep of Bozrah, like a flock in the midst of their pasture; they will make noise because of the people.

13The Breaker ascends before them; they break through, pass through the gate, and go out by it, while their king passes before them, Yahweh at their head.