Micah Chapter 2
From The Open Bible Project
2:1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.
- (a) As soon as they rise, they execute their wicked devices of the night, and according to their ability hurt others.
2:2 They covet fields, and seize them; and houses, and take them away: and they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
2:3 Therefore thus says Yahweh: "Behold, I am planning against these people a disaster, from which you will not remove your necks, neither will you walk haughtily; for it is an evil time.
2:4 In that day they will take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, saying, 'We are utterly ruined! My people's possession is divided up. Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!'"
- (b) Thus the Jews lament and say that there is no hope of restitution, seeing their possessions are divided among the enemies.
2:5 Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in the assembly of Yahweh.
- (c) You will have no more lands to divide as you had in times past, and as you used to measure them in the Jubilee.
2:6 "Don't prophesy!" They prophesy. "Don't prophesy about these things. Disgrace won't overtake us."
- (d) Thus the people warn the prophets that they speak to them no more, for they cannot endure their threatenings.
- (e) God says that they will not prophesy, nor receive any more of their rebukes or taunts.
2:7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry? Are these his doings? Don't my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?"
- (f) Are these your works according to his Law?
- (g) Do not the godly find my words comfortable?
2:8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
- (h) That is, in past times.
- (i) The poor can have no benefit from them, but they rob them, as though they were enemies.
2:9 You drive the women of my people out from their pleasant houses; from their young children you take away my blessing forever.
- (k) That is, their substance and living, which is God’s blessing, and as it were part of his glory.
2:10 Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting place, because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction.
- (l) Jerusalem will not be your safeguard, but rather the cause of your destruction.
2:11 If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies: "I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink;" he would be the prophet of this people.
- (m) That is, show himself to be a prophet.
- (n) He shows what prophets they delight in, that is, in flatterers, who tell them pleasant tales, and speak of their benefits.
2:12 I will surely assemble, Jacob, all of you; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the midst of their pasture; they will swarm with people.
- (o) To destroy you.
2:13 He who breaks open the way goes up before them. They break through the gate, and go out. And their king passes on before them, with Yahweh at their head.
- (p) The enemy will break their gates and walls, and lead them into Chaldea.
- (q) To drive them forward, and to help their enemies.
