Micah 2
1THEY planned mischief; they contrived evils on their beds, and soon as it was day they executed them; for they did not lift up their hands to God.
2They coveted fields and plundered orphans and tyrannised over houses; they plundered a man and his household—a man and his inheritance;
3therefore thus saith the Lord: Behold against this tribe I am planning evils, from which you shall not withdraw your necks, nor walk erect suddenly. Because it is an evil time,
4a parable will in that day be taken up against you, and a song of lamentation will be sung, saying, With affliction we have been afflicted! the portion of my people have been measured with a line, and there was none to hinder or turn it aside. Your fields have been parcelled out,
5therefore there shall be none to stretch a line for thee by lot in the congregation of the Lord.
6Weep not bitterly, nor let tears be shed for these things, for reproaches will not be cast off even by him who saith,
7The house of Jacob hath provoked to wrath the Spirit of the Lord. Are not these his ways? Are not His words good with him [the house of Jacob]? Have these walked in a straight course?
8Indeed this people of mine have openly risen up for enmity. In direct opposition to his peace they have even stripped off his skin, that the extreme horror of war might destroy hope.
9The leaders of my people shall be hurled from their houses of pleasure; for their wicked devices they have been expelled; draw ye near to the everlasting mountains.
10Arise and depart, for this is not a rest for thee. By reason of impurity you are utterly corrupted:
11you have been put to flight when there was no pursuer: a spirit hath set up a lie: it hath dropped on thee for wine and plenty.
12Yet it shall come to pass that from a drop of this people, Jacob with all his sons shall be gathered together. With expectation I will expect the remnant of Israel. I will place together them who are about to return. Like sheep in distress, like a flock in their fold, they shall rush out from among men through a breach before them.
13They have broken through and passed the gate; they are gone through it and their king is gone out before them; and the Lord will be their leader.