1Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say. 2Hear the LORD's accusations, O you mountains, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD is lodging a charge against His people, and He will plead with Israel.

3“O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied and burdened you? Testify against Me. 4For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the land of slavery; and I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you. 5O My people, remember now what Balak, king of Moab, plotted, and what Balaam, son of Beor, answered him from Shittim (Acacia) to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

6With what shall I (the nation of Israel) come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high and exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year old calves? 7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the LORD requires of you: to act justly; to love mercy; and to walk humbly with your God?

9The LORD is calling to the city; and to reverence His name would be wisdom on the part of man. “Heed the rod, and the One Who ordained it. 10Am I to forget your ill-gotten treasures, O wicked house of Israel; your dishonest measures that are abominable? 11Shall I acquit those who use crooked balances, and a bag of deceitful weights? 12For the rich people are full of violence, and your inhabitants have spoken lies, and the tongue in their mouth is deceitful. 13Therefore I will also bring you to ruin, making you desolate because of your sins. 14You shall eat, but not be satisfied; and though you try to store wealth in your midst; you shall save nothing; and whatever you acquire, I will give to the sword. 15You shall plant; but you shall not reap; you shall tread the olives, but you shall not anoint yourselves with the oil; and you shall harvest sweet wine, but shall not drink the wine. 16For you have observed the statutes of Omri, and all the practices of the house of Ahab, and you walk in their traditions. Therefore, I shall make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a derision; you shall bear the scorn of the nations.”