Micah 7:3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

◄ Micah 7:3 ►

New International Version
Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire together.

New Living Translation
Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.

English Standard Version
Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.

Berean Standard Bible
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

King James Bible
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

New King James Version
That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together.

New American Standard Bible
As for evil, both hands do it well. The leader asks for a bribe, also the judge, And the great one speaks the capricious desire of his soul; So they plot it together.

NASB 1995
Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together.

NASB 1977
Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together.

Legacy Standard Bible
Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a payment, And a great man speaks the craving of his soul; So they weave it together.

Amplified Bible
Concerning evil, both of their hands pursue it and do it diligently and thoroughly; The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the [evil] desire of his soul. So they twist the course of justice between them.

Christian Standard Bible
Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his evil desire, they plot it together.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his evil desire, they plot it together.

American Standard Version
Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.

Contemporary English Version
People cooperate to commit crime. Judges and leaders demand bribes, and rulers cheat in court.

English Revised Version
Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the mischief of his soul: thus they weave it together.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their hands are skilled in doing evil. Officials ask for gifts. Judges accept bribes. Powerful people dictate what they want. So they scheme together.

Good News Translation
They are all experts at doing evil. Officials and judges ask for bribes. The influential people tell them what they want, and so they scheme together.

International Standard Version
And speaking of evil, they practice it eagerly—with both hands! Both leader and judge demand a bribe, the famous confess their perverted desires, and they scheme together.

Majority Standard Bible
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

NET Bible
They are determined to be experts at doing evil; government officials and judges take bribes, prominent men make demands, and they all do what is necessary to satisfy them.

New Heart English Bible
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

Webster's Bible Translation
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

World English Bible
Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe. The powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
On the evil [are] both hands to do [it] well, "" The prince is asking—also the judge—for repayment, "" And the great—he is speaking the mischief of his soul, "" And they wrap it up.

Young's Literal Translation
On the evil are both hands to do it well, The prince is asking -- also the judge -- for recompence, And the great -- he is speaking the mischief of his soul, And they wrap it up.

Smith's Literal Translation
For doing evil with the hands to do well, the chief asking, and the judge, for peace; and the great one, he spake the mischief of his soul: and they will entangle it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The evil of their hands they call good: the prince requireth, and the judge is for giving: and the great man hath uttered the desire of his soul, and they have troubled it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The evil of their hands, they call good. The leader is demanding, and the judge is yielding, and the great is speaking the desire of his soul, and they have confused it.

New American Bible
Their hands succeed at evil; the prince makes demands, The judge is bought for a price, the powerful speak as they please.

New Revised Standard Version
Their hands are skilled to do evil; the official and the judge ask for a bribe, and the powerful dictate what they desire; thus they pervert justice.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Their hands are ready to do evil, and they never do good; the governor asks for gold, and the judge says, Give me a bribe; and the prince speaks the desire of his soul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Their hands are ready for evil and they do no good; the Ruler asks for gold and the Judge says, ”Give a bribe” and the Prince speaks the desire of his soul

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; The prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; And the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul; Thus they weave it together.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
they prepare their hands for mischief, the prince asks a reward, and the judge speaks flattering words; it is the desire of their soul:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel's Great Misery
…2The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. 3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. 4The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Jeremiah 5:28
They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Ezekiel 22:12
In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.

Hosea 4:18
When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.

Amos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

Zephaniah 3:3-4
Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. / Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.

Isaiah 5:23
who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.

Jeremiah 6:13
“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Hosea 9:15
All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.

Matthew 23:28
In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Mark 7:21-22
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.

Luke 11:39
Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Romans 1:29-31
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

Treasury of Scripture

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

do.

Proverbs 4:16,17
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall…

Jeremiah 3:5
Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

Ezekiel 22:6
Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.

the prince.

Micah 3:11
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Isaiah 1:23
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

the great.

1 Kings 21:9-14
And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: …

his mischievous desire.

Isaiah 26:21
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Luke 12:1,2
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy…

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Jump to Previous

Accepts Bribe Conspire Decisions Demands Desire Dictate Diligently Earnestly Evil Gifts Gives Great Hands Judge Makes Mischievous Money Pleasure Powerful Prince Ready Requests Reward Right Ruler Skilled Soul Together Twisted Uttereth Utters Weave Wrap

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Micah 7

1. The church, complaining of her small number,
3. and the general corruption,
5. puts her confidence not in man, but in God.
8. She triumphs over her enemies.
14. She prays to God.
15. God comforts her by promises of confusion to her enemies;
18. and by his mercies.

Berean Study Bible

Both hands are skilled in evil
This phrase paints a vivid picture of the pervasive corruption and moral decay in society. The Hebrew word for "hands" (יָדַיִם, yadayim) often symbolizes action and power. Here, it suggests that the people are not just passively involved in wrongdoing but are actively and skillfully engaged in it. The use of "both hands" implies a complete and wholehearted commitment to evil, indicating that corruption has become second nature. Historically, this reflects a time in Israel when leaders and citizens alike were entrenched in sinful practices, highlighting the need for divine intervention and a return to righteousness.

the prince and the judge demand a bribe
In ancient Israel, the "prince" (שָׂר, sar) and "judge" (שֹׁפֵט, shofet) were expected to uphold justice and lead with integrity. However, this phrase reveals a betrayal of their roles, as they exploit their positions for personal gain. The Hebrew word for "bribe" (שֹׁחַד, shochad) underscores the perversion of justice, where decisions are influenced by wealth rather than truth. This corruption among leaders is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, serving as a warning against the dangers of greed and the distortion of justice.

the powerful dictate what they desire
The "powerful" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) refers to those with influence and authority, who should ideally use their position for the common good. Instead, they "dictate" (דִּבֵּר, dibber) their own desires, prioritizing personal ambition over communal welfare. This reflects a society where might makes right, and the voices of the weak are silenced. The historical context of Micah's prophecy shows a nation where social justice is subverted by the whims of the elite, a situation that calls for repentance and reform.

they all conspire together
The phrase "conspire together" (יַעֲבֹתוּ, ya'avotu) suggests a collective and deliberate effort to perpetuate injustice. This conspiracy is not just among a few individuals but is systemic, involving various sectors of society. The Hebrew root conveys a sense of binding or joining forces, indicating that this corruption is deeply entrenched and widespread. Scripturally, this highlights the communal nature of sin and the need for a collective return to God's ways. It serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the power of unity in pursuing righteousness.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) That they may do evil with both hands earnestly.--Literally, well. Dr. Benisch, in his Old Testament newly translated under the supervision of the Rev. the Chief Rabbi of the United Congregations of the British Empire (1852), avoids the oxymoron of doing "evil" "well" by translating the passage, "concerning the evil which their hands should amend," which satisfactorily harmonises with the rest of the passage.

So they wrap it up.--Literally, twist it, and pervert the course of justice.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - That they may do evil, etc. rather, both hands are upon (equivalent to "busy with") evil to do it thoroughly. This clause and the rest of the verse are very obscure Cheyne supposes the text to be corrupt. Henderson renders, "For evil their hands are well prepared;" so virtually Hitzig, Pusey, and the Septuagint. Caspari agrees rather with the Vulgate (Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum)," Hands are (busy) upon evil to make (it seem) good," which looks to that extremity of iniquity when men "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). The general meaning is that they are ready enough to do evil, and, as the next clause says, can be bribed to do anything. The prince asketh; makes some nefarious demand of the judge, some perversion of justice at his hands, as in the case of Naboth (1 Kings 21.). The judge asketh (is ready) for a reward. The judge is willing to do what the prince wishes, if he is bribed for it. LXX., Ὁ κριτής εἰρηνικοὺς λόγους ἐλάλησε, "The judge speaks words of peace" (comp. Micah 3:11; Isaiah 1:23; Zephaniah 3:8). He uttereth his mischievous desire; or, the mischief of his soul. The rich man speaks out unblushingly the evil that he has conceived in his heart, the wicked design which he meditates. So they wrap it up; better, and they weave it together. The prince, the judge, and the rich man weave their evil plan together, to make it strong and right in others' eyes. The passage is altered in meaning by a different grouping of the Hebrew letters, thus: "The prince demandeth (a reward) to do good; and the judge, for the recompense of a great man, uttereth what he himself desireth. And they entangle the good more than briars, and the righteous more than a thorn hedge." The LXX. carries on the sense to the next verse, Καὶ ἐξελοῦμαι τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτῶν ὠς σὴς ἐκτρώγων, "And I will destroy their goods as a consuming moth."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Both hands
כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ (kap·pa·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

are skilled
לְהֵיטִ֔יב (lə·hê·ṭîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

at evil;
הָרַ֤ע (hā·ra‘)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

the prince
הַשַּׂ֣ר (haś·śar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

and the judge
וְהַשֹּׁפֵ֖ט (wə·haš·šō·p̄êṭ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

demand
שֹׁאֵ֔ל (šō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

a bribe;
בַּשִׁלּ֑וּם‪‬‪‬ (baš·šil·lūm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7966: A requital, retribution, a fee

when the powerful
וְהַגָּד֗וֹל (wə·hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

utters
דֹּבֵ֨ר (dō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

his
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

evil
הַוַּ֥ת (haw·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1942: Desire, chasm, destruction

desire,
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

they all conspire together.
וַֽיְעַבְּתֽוּהָ׃ (way·‘ab·bə·ṯū·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5686: To interlace, to pervert

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OT Prophets: Micah 7:3 Their hands are on that which (Mc Mic. Mi)