1What misery I (Micah) have! For I am like one who has gathered summer fruit at the gleanings of the vineyard; there are no clusters of grapes to eat; nor any of the early figs that my soul desired. 2The faithful men have all disappeared; and there is none who is upright among men; they all lie in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. 3The wicked are equally skilled at doing evil with both hands; the ruler demands gifts; the judge demands a bribe; and the influential get whatever they desire; and so, they pervert justice. 4The best of them is like a brier; the most upright worse than a thorn hedge, but their day of judgement is coming; the watchmen are sounding the alarm.

5Do not trust in a neighbor, put no confidence in a friend; guard your mouth even from the woman that lies in your bosom. 6For the son betrays the father, the daughter is against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are those within his own house. 7But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

8Do not gloat over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be my light. 9Because I have sinned against Him, I will bear the indignation of the LORD, until He pleads my cause, and executes judgment for me; He will bring me out to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. 10Then my enemies who said to me, “Where is the LORD, your God?”, shall see it, and be covered with shame My eyes shall behold their downfall as they are trampled like the mire of the streets.

11The day for building your walls will come - the day for Israel to extend its borders. 12In that day people shall also come to you from Assyria, and from fortified cities, and from fortresses as far as the Euphrates River - from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. 13But the land shall become desolate because of those that dwell in it, who shall eat the fruit of their wicked deeds.

14Shepherd Your people, the flock of Your heritage, who dwell alone in the forest, on the heights of Carmel, with Your rod (staff); let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. 15“As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show Israel My wonders. (says the LORD)” 16All the nations shall see and be confounded at all of Israel’s might; they shall put their hand over their mouth, and their ears shall become deaf. 17They shall lick dust like a snake, they shall come trembling out of their holes like earthworms; they shall turn in awe of the LORD, our God, and shall show reverence for You. 18Who is a God like You, Who pardons iniquity, and forgives the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage? You do not retain Your anger forever, because You delight in mercy. 19You will turn and once again have compassion upon us; You will trample our sins under Your feet; and You will hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20You will be faithful to perform Your pledge to Jacob, which You have sworn unto our fathers from the days of old, and will show Your love for Abraham.