Micah 6:6-15

6With what shall I come before Adonai? With what shall I bow myself before God on high? Shall I present Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?

7Will Adonai be pleased with thousands of rams, with hordes of rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my belly for the sin of my soul?

8He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai is seeking from you: Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

9The voice of Adonai calls to the city— it is wisdom to fear Your Name— “Pay attention to the rod and to the One who appointed it.”

10Does the house of the wicked still have treasures of wickedness? Or is an undersized ephah denounced?

11Can I be pure with wicked balances? Or with a bag of deceptive weights?

12For the rich of the city are full of violence and its inhabitants speak lies. Their tongue in their mouth is deceit.

13So also I will strike you severely, desolating you because of your sins.

14You will eat but not be satisfied, and emptiness will be within you. You will try to escape, but you will not reach safety. Whatever you make safe, I will give to the sword.

15You will sow but not reap; You will tread olives but not anoint yourself with oil, and grapes but not drink wine.