New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures — With References (Rbi8, en_US, 1984)

Micah

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Micah, 7

1 Too bad for me, for I have become like the gatherings of summer fruit, like the gleaning of a grape gathering! There is no grape cluster to eat, no early fig, that my soul would desire!

2 The loyal one*1 has perished from the earth,*2 and among mankind*3 there is no upright one. All of them, for bloodshed they lie in wait. They hunt, everyone his own brother, with a dragnet.

  1. Or, “The one of loving-kindness.” Heb., cha·sidhʹ.

  2. Or, “the land.” Heb., ha·ʼaʹrets.

  3. Or, “among earthling men.” Heb., ba·ʼa·dhamʹ.

3 [Their] hands are upon what is bad, to do [it] well; the prince is asking [for something], and the one who is judging [does so] for the reward, and the great one is speaking forth the craving of his soul, his very own; and they interweave it.

4 Their best one is like a brier, [their] most upright one is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, [of] your being given attention, must come. Now will occur the confounding of them.

5 Do not put YOUR faith in a companion. Do not put YOUR trust in a confidential friend. From her who is lying in your bosom guard the openings of your mouth.

6 For a son is despising a father; a daughter is rising up against her mother; a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men*1 of his household.

  1. “Men of.” Heb., ʼan·shehʹ, pl. of ʼish, which is earlier rendered “a man’s” in this sentence.

7 But as for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

8 Do not rejoice over me, O you woman enemy of mine. Although I have fallen, I shall certainly rise up; although I dwell in the darkness, Jehovah will be a light to me.

9 The raging of Jehovah I shall bear—for I have sinned against him—until he conducts my legal case and actually executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I shall look upon his righteousness.

10 And my enemy will see, and shame will cover her, who was saying to me: “Where is he, Jehovah your God?” My own eyes will look upon her. Now she will become a place of trampling, like the mire of streets.

11 The day for building your*1 stone walls, at that day [the] decree*2 will be far away.

  1. “Your,” fem. sing.

  2. Or, “prescribed limit.”

12 At that day even all the way to you they*1 will come from As·syrʹi·a and the cities of Egypt,*2 and from Egypt even all the way to [the] River; and from sea to sea, and [from] mountain to the mountain.

  1. “They,” LXX; MSyVg, “he,” or “one.”

  2. “Egypt.” Heb., Ma·tsohrʹ.

13 And the land must become a desolate waste on account of its inhabitants, because of the fruit of their dealings.

14 Shepherd your*1 people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, the one who was residing alone in a forest—in the midst of an orchard. Let them feed on Baʹshan and Gilʹe·ad as in the days of a long time ago.

  1. “Your,” masc. sing.

15 “As in the days of your coming forth from the land of Egypt I shall show him wonderful things.

16 Nations will see and become ashamed of all their mightiness. They will put [their] hand upon [their] mouth; their very ears will become deaf.

17 They will lick up dust like the serpents; like reptiles of [the] earth they will come in agitation out of their bulwarks. To Jehovah our God*1 they will come quivering, and they will be afraid of you.”

  1. “Our God.” Heb., ʼElo·hehʹnu.

18 Who is a God*1 like you, one pardoning error and passing over transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? He will certainly not hold onto his anger forever, for he is delighting in loving-kindness.*2

  1. “God.” Heb., ʼEl; Gr., The·osʹ; Lat., Deʹus.

  2. Or, “loyal love.” Heb., cheʹsedh.

19 He will again show us mercy; he will subject our errors. And you will throw into the depths of [the] sea all their*1 sins.

  1. “Their,” M; LXXSyVg, “our”; T, “Israel’s.”

20 You will give [the] trueness [given] to Jacob, [the] loving-kindness [given] to Abraham, which you swore to our forefathers from the days of long ago.