They will live in safety because his greatness will reach the ends of the earth.

5 This man will be their peace.

When the Assyrians invade our land and trample our palaces, we will attack them with seven shepherds and eight leaders.

6 They will rule Assyria with their swords and the country of Nimrod with drawn swords.

They will rescue us from the Assyrians when they come into our land and walk within our territory.

7 Then the few people left from Jacob will be among many people like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass.

They do not put their hope in humans or wait for mortals.

8 The few people left from Jacob will be among the nations, among many people.

They will be like a lion among animals in the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep.

When a lion hunts, it tramples its victims and tears them to pieces, and there is no one to rescue them.

9 You will use your power against your opponents, and all your enemies will be destroyed.

10 "When that day comes," declares Yahweh , "I will destroy your horses and demolish your chariots.

11 I will destroy the cities in your land and tear down all your fortresses.

12 I will destroy your sorcerers, and you will have no more fortunetellers.

13 I will destroy your idols and your sacred monuments.

You will no longer worship what your hands have made.

14 I will pull out your poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.

I will wipe out your cities.

15 I will take revenge with great anger on the nations that do not obey me."

The LORD'S Lawsuit against His People 6 1 Now listen to what Yahweh is saying, "Stand up! Plead your case in front of the mountains, and let the hills listen to your request.

2 Listen to Yahweh's lawsuit, you mountains.

Listen, you strong foundations of the earth.

Yahweh has filed a lawsuit against his people.

He is arguing his case against Israel.

3 "My people, what have I done to you?

How have I tried your patience? Answer me!

4 I brought you out of Egypt and freed you from slavery.

I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you.

5 My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned to do to you and how Balaam, son of Beor, responded to him.

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgala so that you may know the victories of Yahweh."

6 What should I bring when I come into Yahweh's presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven?

Should I bring him yearold calves as burnt offerings?

7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams or with endless streams of olive oil?

Should I give him my firstborn child because of my rebellious acts?

Should I give him my young child for my sin?

8 You mortals, Yahweh has told you what is good.

This is what Yahweh requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your Elohim .

9 The voice of Yahweh calls out to the city.

(The fear of your name is wisdom.) "Listen, you tribe assembled in the city.b 10 I have cursed all the wicked people who use their money for evil and use inaccurate weights and measures.

11 I cannot tolerate dishonest scales and bags filled with inaccurate weights.

12 The rich people in the city are violent.

Those who live in the city speak lies, and their tongues speak deceitfully.

13 I have begun to strike you with heavy blows and to ruin you because of your sins.

14 You will eat, but you won't be full.

So you will always be hungry.

You will put things away, but you won't save them.

Anything you save I will destroy.

15 You will plant, but you won't harvest.

You will crush olives, but you won't rub the oil on your skin.

You will make new wine, but you won't drink it.

16 You have kept Omri's laws and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab, and you have followed their advice.

That is why I will ruin you.

Your people will be ridiculed.

You will bear the disgrace of my people."

The LORD'S People Confess Their Sin 7 1 Poor me!

I am like those gathering summer fruit, like those picking grapes.

But there aren't any grapes to eat or any ripened figs that I crave.

2 Faithful people are gone from the earth, and no one is decent.

All people lie in ambush to commit murder.

They trap each other with nets.

3 Their hands are skilled in doing evil.

Officials ask for gifts.

Judges accept bribes.

Powerful people dictate what they want.

So they scheme together.a 4 The best of them is like a briar.

The most decent person is sharper than thornbushes.

The day you thought you would be punished has come.

Now is the time you will be confused.

5 Don't trust your neighbors.

Don't have confidence in your friends.

Keep your mouth shut even when a woman is lying in your arms.

6 A son treats his father with contempt.

A daughter rebels against her mother.

A daughter-in-law rebels against her mother-in-law.

People's enemies are the members of their own families.

7 I will look to Yahweh.

I will wait for Elohim to save me.

I will wait for my Elohim to listen to me.

8 Don't laugh at me, my enemies.

Although I've fallen, I will get up.

Although I sit in the dark, Yahweh is my light.

9 I have sinned against Yahweh.

So I will endure his fury until he takes up my cause and wins my case.

He will bring me into the light, and I will see his victory.

10 Then my enemies will see this, and they will be covered with shame, because they asked me, "Where is Yahweh your Elohim?"

Now I look at them.

They are trampled like mud in the streets.

11 The day for rebuilding your walls and extending your borders is coming.

12 When that day comes, your people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, from Egypt to the Euphrates River, from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.

13 The earth will become a wasteland for those who live on it because of what the people living there have done.

14 With your shepherd's staff, take care of your people, the sheep that belong to you.

They live alone in the woods, in fertile pastures.

Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead like before.

15 Let us see miracles like the time you came out of Egypt.

16 Nations will see this and be ashamed in spite of all their strength.

They will put their hands over their mouths.

Their ears will become deaf.

17 They will lick dust like snakes, like animals that crawl on the ground.

They will come out of their hiding places trembling.

They will turn away from your presence in fear, O Yahweh our Elohim.