Micah 2

Fields seized

1Woe to those who plan wickedness
and devise evil on their beds!
At morning light they carry it out
because the power lies in their hands. 2They covet fields and seize them,
houses and take them away.
They oppress a man and his household,
a person and his inheritance. 3So this is what the LORD says:
“I am planning disaster against this family,
a yoke you cannot remove from your necks.
You will no longer walk proudly,
for it will be an evil time. 4On that day people will take up a taunt over you
and sing a bitter lament:
‘We are utterly devastated!
He exchanges my people’s portion.
How he takes it from me!
He parcels out our fields to a renegade.’” 5So you will have no one to stretch a measuring line
for an allotted share in the LORD’s assembly.

Unwanted words

6“Do not pour out such words!” they pour out.
“They must not speak about these things;
disgrace will not overtake us.” 7Should the house of Jacob say,
“Has the LORD’s patience run short?
Are these his deeds?”
“Do not my words do good
to the one who walks uprightly? 8But lately my people have risen like an enemy.
You strip the fine cloak off the garment
of those who pass by unsuspecting,
returning from war. 9You drive the women of my people
from the homes they cherish;
you take my splendor from their young children forever. 10Get up and go! This is no resting place.
Because it is unclean, it brings destruction—
grievous destruction. 11If someone trafficking in wind and falsehood lied,
‘I will pour out words for you about wine and strong drink,’
he would be the preacher for this people!

The gathered flock

12I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
I will surely assemble Israel’s remnant.
I will bring them together like sheep in an enclosure,
like a flock in its pasture,
a noisy throng of people. 13The one who breaks through goes up before them.
They break through, pass the gate, and go out through it.
Their king passes before them,
with the LORD at their head.”