1. Listen now to what Yahweh says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear what you have to say.
2. Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
3. My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!
4. For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5. My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”
6. How shall I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7. Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8. He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
9. Yahweh’s voice calls to the city, and wisdom sees your name: “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.
10. Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?
11. Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights?
12. Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.