Micah 1 - Easy To Read Version

¹ The word of the Lord came to Micah. This was during the time of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. These men were kings of Judah. Micah was from Moresheth. Micah saw \{these visions\} about Samaria and Jerusalem.

² Listen, all of you people!\par Earth and everyone on it, {\cf2\super [1]} listen!\par My Master, the Lord will come\par from his holy temple. {\cf2\super [2]} \par My Master will come as a witness {\cf2\super [3]} \par against you.\par

³ See, the Lord is coming out of his place.\par He is coming down to walk on\par the high places {\cf2\super [4]} of the earth.\par

⁴ The mountains will melt under him\par like wax before a fire.\par The valleys will split open\par and flow like water down a steep hill.\par

⁵ Why? Because of Jacob’s {\cf2\super [5]} sin.\par Because of the sins of the nation {\cf2\super [6]} of Israel.\par

⁶ So I will change Samaria into\par a pile of rocks in the field,\par a place ready for planting grapes.\par I will push Samaria’s stones down\par into the valley, leaving nothing\par but the foundations!\par

⁷ All her idols {\cf2\super [8]} \par will be broken into pieces.\par Her prostitute’s wages (idols)\par will be burned in fire.\par I will destroy all her statues\par \{of false gods\}.\par Why? Because Samaria got her riches\par by being unfaithful to me. {\cf2\super [9]} \par So those things will be taken by people\par that are not faithful to me. {\cf2\super [10]} \par

⁸ I will be very sad about what will happen.\par I will go without shoes and clothes.\par I will cry like a dog. {\cf2\super [11]} \par I will mourn like a bird. {\cf2\super [12]} \par

⁹ Samaria’s {\cf2\super [13]} wound can’t be healed.\par Her disease (sin) has spread to Judah.\par It has reached the city gate of my people.\par It has spread all the way to Jerusalem.\par

¹⁰ Don’t tell it in Gath. {\cf2\super [14]} \par Don’t cry in Acco. {\cf2\super [15]} \par Roll yourself in the dust at Beth Ophrah. {\cf2\super [16]} \par

¹¹ You people living in Shaphir, {\cf2\super [17]} \par pass on your way, naked and ashamed.\par People living in Zaanan {\cf2\super [18]} will not come out.\par The people in Beth Ezel {\cf2\super [19]} will cry,\par and take its support from you.\par

¹² People living in Maroth {\cf2\super [20]} become weak\par waiting for good \{news to come\}.\par Why? Because trouble has come down\par from the Lord to the city gate of Jerusalem.\par

¹³ Lady of Lachish, {\cf2\super [21]} hitch (tie) a fast horse\par to the wagon. {\cf2\super [22]} \par Zion’s sins started in Lachish.\par Why? Because you follow in Israel’s sins. {\cf2\super [23]} \par

¹⁴ So you must give goodbye gifts\par to Moresheth {\cf2\super [24]} in Gath.\par The houses in Aczib {\cf2\super [25]} will trick\par the kings of Israel.\par

¹⁵ You people living in Mareshah, {\cf2\super [26]} \par I will bring a person against you.\par That person will take the things you own.\par The Glory of Israel (God)\par will come into Adullam. {\cf2\super [27]} \par

¹⁶ So cut off your hair,\par make yourself bald. {\cf2\super [28]} \par Why? Because \{you will cry for\}\par the children you love.\par Make yourself bald like an eagle {\cf2\super [29]} \par \{and show your sadness\}.\par Why? Because your children\par will be taken away from you.\par