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

2 And 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.

3 My people, what have I done to you? What is it that I have done to make you tired of me? 4 For I brought you out of the land of Egypt and rescued you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you. 5 My people, remember what Balak, king of Moab, planned to do, and what Balaam, son of Beor, told him[a], and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,[b] so you could know all the good things the Lord does.

6 What 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? 7 Will 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?

8 The 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[c] with your God.

9 The 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.[d] 10 Are there still ill-gotten gains in the houses of the wicked? Are they still using dishonest measures in selling grain? 11 How can I accept those who use unfair scales and dishonest weights? 12 Your rich people make money by using violence; they tell lies and practice deceit. 13 So I will strike you to make you ill; I will ruin you because of your sins. 14 You 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.[e] 15 You 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.

16 You have kept the laws of Omri, and adopted all the practices of the house of Ahab,[f] you 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.